ENROLLED
2021 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 36
BY REPRESENTATIVE BROWN
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To urge and request the Department of Transportation and Development to study the
feasibility of having two dedicated through lanes to exit eastbound from the
Interstate 10 Horace Wilkinson Bridge.
WHEREAS, the Horace Wilkinson Bridge is the highest bridge on the Mississippi
River and serves as a primary commuter route to more than one hundred thousand cars and
trucks daily; and
WHEREAS, the Horace Wilkinson Bridge is listed as one of the most frequent sites
of serious automobile accidents on bridges in the state; and
WHEREAS, the reduction to one lane on Interstate 10 eastbound from the Horace
Wilkinson Bridge is one of the leading causes of daily traffic congestion and frequent
accidents; and
WHEREAS, Interstate 10 eastbound from the Horace Wilkinson Bridge is reduced
from three lanes to one through lane with a single exit lane to Washington Street around a
sharp curve, creating hazardous situations which are heightened in case of emergency or
dangerous weather conditions; and
WHEREAS, the unsafe merge that typically occurred at the exit lane to Washington
Street was addressed with the addition of the Interstate 10 exit ramp to Terrace Avenue in
2019, creating an opportunity for the addition of two dedicated through lanes to exit
eastbound from the Interstate 10 Horace Wilkinson Bridge to be more feasible; and
WHEREAS, two dedicated through lanes to exit eastbound from the Interstate 10
Horace Wilkinson Bridge would increase the safety measures for vehicles in emergency
stops, enhance the safety of motorists, and drastically reduce the traffic congestion where
more than one hundred thousand cars and trucks commute daily.
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THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
urge and request the Department of Transportation and Development to study the feasibility
of having two dedicated through lanes to exit eastbound from the Interstate 10 Horace
Wilkinson Bridge.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Louisiana Department of Transportation and
Development shall submit a report detailing the results of its study to the Legislature of
Louisiana not later than February 1, 2022.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the department's study should consider, at a
minimum, the probable enhancement of safety on the bridge by having two lanes, the
increased curve radius from adding a lane, as well as other highway safety improvements;
such as enhanced delineation and friction on the dangerous curve.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted
to the secretary of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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