HLS 24RS-4622 ORIGINAL
2024 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 137
BY REPRESENTATIVE TAYLOR
PUBLIC WORKS: Urges and requests the Department of Transportation and Development
to study conditions on Louisiana Highway 44 in Reserve to add sidewalks
1 A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
2To urge and request the Department of Transportation and Development to study conditions
3 on Louisiana Highway 44 in Reserve, Louisiana to add sidewalks.
4 WHEREAS, Louisiana Highway 44 is a state highway that serves Ascension, St.
5James, and St. John the Baptist Parishes; and
6 WHEREAS, the Reserve Historic District is located in St. John the Baptist Parish in
7Louisiana; and
8 WHEREAS, for many rural communities such as Reserve, accessing state and federal
9funds to improve infrastructure such as sidewalks has been difficult and expensive; and
10 WHEREAS, there are no sidewalks along the highway or the elevated piped bridge
11which creates a safety hazard for motorists and pedestrians; and
12 WHEREAS, the frequently used highway is busy during most hours of the day and
13extremely busy during certain peak times; and
14 WHEREAS, sidewalks separate from the roadway would be a safety measure that
15is beneficial to pedestrians and would eliminate the wait time for those traveling the busy
16intersection by bicycles incapable of accelerating at the speed of a vehicle; and
17 WHEREAS, adding a sidewalk would provide many benefits such as safety,
18mobility, and healthier communities; and
19 WHEREAS, the addition of sidewalks would reduce pedestrian crashes and allow
20a designated area for pedestrians to walk, run, or jog without the risk of being struck by a
21vehicle; and
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HCR NO. 137
1 WHEREAS, the Federal Highway Administration Safety Program's guidance
2statement recommends providing accessible sidewalks or pathways along both sides of the
3streets on highways in urban areas particularly near school zones and transit locations where
4there is frequent pedestrian activity; and
5 WHEREAS, for less developed areas with occasional pedestrian traffic expected, the
6guidance statement provides that walkable shoulders be provided along both sides of
7highways at a minimum of four feet stabilized or paved surface; and
8 WHEREAS, Reserve, Louisiana, particularly River Road, has several schools,
9churches, and local businesses resulting in constant pedestrian travel; and
10 WHEREAS, Reserve, Louisiana is a rural area that is in need of sidewalks to better
11serve the local population and promote safety.
12 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
13urge and request the Department of Transportation and Development to study conditions on
14Louisiana Highway 44 in Reserve, Louisiana to add sidewalks.
15 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Transportation and
16Development shall submit a report detailing its findings to the House Committee on
17Transportation, Highways and Public Works and Senate Committee on Transportation,
18Highways, and Public Works by August 1, 2025.
19 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
20secretary of the Department of Transportation and Development.
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 137 Original 2024 Regular Session Taylor
Urges and requests the Dept. of Transportation and Development (DOTD) to study
conditions on La. Hwy. 44 in Reserve, La. to add sidewalks to better serve the local
population and promote safety. Requires the DOTD to submit a written report detailing its
findings to the House and Senate transportation committees by Aug. 1, 2024.
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