HLS 22RS-1705 ORIGINAL
2022 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 95
BY REPRESENTATIVE WILLARD
TRANSPORTATION: Creates the Louisiana Contraflow Task Force
1 A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
2To create the Louisiana Contraflow Task Force to study and make recommendations
3 regarding contraflow throughout the state, including safety recommendations such
4 as the implementation and use of a siren system near populated areas.
5 WHEREAS, the strategy for parishes dealing with natural disasters, such as potential
6catastrophic hurricanes or man-made disasters, is to evacuate highly populated areas as
7quickly and efficiently as possible for the safety of their citizens; and
8 WHEREAS, the state of Louisiana implemented a contraflow plan to aid in the quick
9and efficient evacuation process of at-risk populations through lane reversals of major
10interstates in the state, which would allow traffic to flow out of heavily populated areas
11through increasing the number of available lanes; and
12 WHEREAS, contraflow is a highly effective action plan with economic and logistical
13benefits, as contraflow reduces the cost and time required to construct additional lanes to
14increase the capacity on the roadway necessary for accelerated evacuations; and
15 WHEREAS, contraflow lanes are easier to manage and enforce during emergency
16situations, as a driver can only enter or leave the contraflow at limited, designated points;
17and
18 WHEREAS, the Department of Transportation and Development is responsible for
19public works and engineering functions on the state infrastructure system to implement
20contraflow during natural disasters and manmade disasters; and
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HCR NO. 95
1 WHEREAS, the Department of Transportation and Development and the Louisiana
2State Police are responsible for having contraflow plans ready to be implemented when a
3state of emergency is declared; and
4 WHEREAS, with no mandatory contraflow plan in effect in Southern Louisiana,
5citizens may choose an additional lane or road shoulder to use as their own contraflow
6thereby creating dangerous and hazardous conditions for themselves and other citizens
7evacuating; and
8 WHEREAS, an additional benefit to residents in the state would be alternative safety
9mechanisms such as a system of sirens near at-risk populations to warn of natural disasters
10and to prompt citizens to stay inside and listen to their local radio or television stations for
11emergency messages; and
12 WHEREAS, in an effort to accomplish these goals the state would benefit from a
13group of parish representatives and nonprofit groups involved in community work studying
14ways to immediately implement a seamless plan for contraflow, the installation of siren
15systems, the impact of the lack of siren systems, and other safety measures to mitigate
16hazardous conditions.
17 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
18create the Louisiana Contraflow Task Force, hereinafter referred to as the "task force", to
19study contraflow in the state of Louisiana, the implementation of alternative safety
20mechanisms such as a system of sirens to aid in alerting citizens of impeding danger and the
21need to evacuate, and other safety measures to mitigate hazardous conditions.
22 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall be composed as follows:
23 (1) One member appointed by the mayor of Orleans parish.
24 (2) One member appointed by the parish president for St. Bernard parish.
25 (3) One member appointed by the president of the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury.
26 (4) One member appointed by the parish president for Plaquemines parish.
27 (5) One member appointed by the parish president for St. John the Baptist parish.
28 (6) One member appointed by the parish president for St. James parish.
29 (7) One member from A Community Voice- Louisiana.
30 (8) One member from United Labor Unions Local 100.
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HCR NO. 95
1 (9) One member from the Association of Community Organizations for Reform
2Now.
3 (10) One member from Save Our St. Bernard.
4 (11) One member from Concerned Citizens of St. John.
5 (12) One member from Inclusive Louisiana and RISE St. John.
6 (13) One member from the Louisiana Oystermen Association.
7 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall elect a chairman from its
8membership and the members shall serve without compensation; however, the task force
9may receive the same reimbursement of travel expenses for attending the meetings as is
10allowed for other state employees.
11 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is hereby charged with the
12responsibility to make recommendations with respect to contraflow plans, alternative safety
13mechanisms, and the implementation of a system of sirens to the Department of
14Transportation and Development.
15 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall convene its first meeting by
16September 1, 2022, and shall meet, at a minimum, on a quarterly basis.
17 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall submit a written report of
18its findings and make recommendations to the House and Senate committees on
19transportation, highways and public works, the speaker of the House of Representatives, the
20president of the Senate, and the Department of Transportation and Development no later than
21February 1, 2023.
22 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
23secretary of the Department of Transportation and Development, the mayor of Orleans
24parish, the parish president for St. Bernard parish, the president of the Calcasieu Parish
25Police Jury, the parish president for Plaquemines parish, the parish president for St. John the
26Baptist parish, the parish president for St. James parish, A Community Voice- Louisiana, the
27United Labor Unions Local 100, The Association of Community Organizations for Reform
28Now, Save Our St. Bernard, Concerned Citizens of St. John, Inclusive Louisiana and RISE
29St. John, and the Louisiana Oystermen Association.
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HCR NO. 95
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HCR 95 Original 2022 Regular Session Willard
Creates the Contraflow Task Force to meet and make recommendations to the Dept. of
Transportation and Development on contraflow plans, alternative safety mechanisms, and
the implementation of a system of sirens.
Specifies the Contraflow Task Force be composed of the following:
(1)One member appointed by the mayor of Orleans parish.
(2)One member appointed by the parish president for St. Bernard parish.
(3)One member appointed by the president of the Calcasieu parish Police Jury.
(4)One member appointed by the parish president for Plaquemines parish.
(5)One member appointed by the parish president for St. John the Baptist parish.
(6)One member appointed by the parish president for St. James parish.
(7)One member from A Community Voice- Louisiana.
(8)One member from United Labor Unions Local 100.
(9)One member from the Associations of Community Organization for Reform Now.
(10)One member from Save Our St. Bernard.
(11)One member from Concerned Citizens of St. John.
(12)One member from Inclusive Louisiana and RISE St. John.
(13)One member from Louisiana Oystermen Association.
Requires the Contraflow Task Force convene its first meeting by Sept. 1, 2022, and meet,
at a minimum, on a quarterly basis.
Requires the task force elect a chairman from its membership and serve without
compensation. Authorizes the task force to receive the same reimbursement of travel
expenses for attending the meetings as is allowed for other state employees.
Requires the task force submit a written report and make recommendations to the House and
Senate committees on transportation, highways and public works, the speaker of the House
of Representatives, the president of the Senate, and the Dept. of Transportation and
Development no later than Feb. 1, 2023.
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