ENROLLED
2023 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 108
BY REPRESENTATIVE WILLARD
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To urge and request the Department of Transportation and Development study and make
recommendations and plans for contraflow, evaculanes, and siren system use
throughout the state for public safety and to require the submission of a written
report of its findings.
WHEREAS, contraflow is a highly effective action plan with economic and logistical
benefits, as contraflow reduces the cost and time required to construct additional lanes to
increase the capacity on the roadway necessary for accelerated evacuations; and
WHEREAS, contraflow lanes are easier to manage and enforce during emergency
situations, as a driver can only enter or exit the contraflow at limited, designated points; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Transportation and Development is responsible for
public works and engineering functions on the state infrastructure system to implement
contraflow during natural and manmade disasters; and
WHEREAS, best practices for expediting and reducing implementation time for
contraflow use during emergency situations need to be followed; and
WHEREAS, recommendations to local mayors and parish presidents, as well as the
governor, would be beneficial to implementing contraflow plans and siren system use; and
WHEREAS, there is a necessity for identification of the needs resulting from
contraflow implementation; such as, bottlenecks, bridges, existing construction that could
present difficulties, and how to add an evaculane and a high-occupancy vehicle lane to the
current spillway project as well as other evacuation routes; and
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WHEREAS, evaculanes are designed to move traffic quickly prior to or during a
catastrophic event by increasing capacity; and
WHEREAS, feasibility and costs for improving contraflow options and the ability
to coordinate among parties are necessary to improving a successful evacuation plan; and
WHEREAS, the cost of bridge repairs and the ability to expedite repairs on the
Highway 90 St. Tammany Parish evacuation route is unknown; and
WHEREAS, sirens are effective at notifying the public of impending danger,
including natural or manmade disasters; and
WHEREAS, an additional benefit to Louisiana residents includes alternative safety
systems such as sirens near at-risk populations to warn of impending disasters and prompt
citizens to listen to local radio or television stations for emergency messages; and
WHEREAS, the state would benefit from a study that considers the following:
(1) The immediate implementation of a seamless plan for contraflow.
(2) The implementation and oversight of siren systems.
(3) The impact of the lack of siren systems.
(4) Other safety measures to mitigate hazardous conditions.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
urge and request the Department of Transportation and Development to work with
representatives from local political subdivisions and the Louisiana Task Force on Contraflow
and Sirens to study contraflow in the state of Louisiana, the implementation of alternative
safety mechanisms to alert residents of impending danger, and other safety measures to
mitigate hazardous conditions.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study shall include the needs resulting from
contraflow implementation; such as, bottlenecks, bridges, existing construction that could
present difficulties, and how to add an evaculane to relevant evacuation routes and a high-
occupancy vehicle lane to the current spillway project.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study shall consider the cost of bridge repairs
and the ability to expedite repairs on the Highway 90 evacuation route.
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study shall culminate with the Department
of Transportation and Development providing a written report of its findings to the House
Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works, the Senate Committee on
Transportation, Highways, and Public Works, and the Louisiana Task Force on Contraflow
and Sirens by February 1, 2024.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
secretary of the Department of Transportation and Development.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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