HLS 24RS-212 ORIGINAL
2024 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 74
BY REPRESENTATIVE MCMAKIN
TRANSPORTATION DEPT: Urges and requests the Department of Transportation and
Development to close the Washington Street exit
1 A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
2To urge and request the Department of Transportation and Development to review the road
3 conditions at the Washington Street exit on I-10 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and close
4 the exit to improve safety.
5 WHEREAS, the Washington Street exit contributes to daily backups on the bridge
6that is used by approximately one hundred two thousand cars and trucks daily; and
7 WHEREAS, due to wrecks that have caused immeasurable tragedies on this exit it
8has become known as the "Devil's triangle of interstates"; and
9 WHEREAS, there have been numerous efforts, including petitions, to close the
10Washington Street exit; and
11 WHEREAS, in 2016, the former secretary of the Louisiana Department of
12Transportation and Development attempted to obtain a $100 million dollar grant; and
13 WHEREAS, this grant could have possibly freed up $20 million dollars for repairs
14near the bridge and the often congested Washington Street exit; and
15 WHEREAS, former Governor John Bel Edwards testified that the area near the
16Washington Street exit is the lone spot on a two thousand four hundred sixty mile interstate
17stretch that narrows to one lane; and
18 WHEREAS, former Governor Edwards was not previously aware of this location as
19he stated "He didn't know before, and had I not taken advantage of the opportunity, I
20wouldn't have known it today"; and
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HCR NO. 74
1 WHEREAS, the exit presents many hazards to eastbound traffic leaving the bridge
2on the inside lane, which forces traffic off at Washington street; and
3 WHEREAS, as a result of traffic being forced off at this exit travelers must make a
4hasty decision to move out of the inside land to I-10 East; and
5 WHEREAS, the Washington Street exit is no longer needed, as the Terrace Avenue
6left-exit provides an alternative to the Washington Street exit; and
7 WHEREAS, the Terrace Avenue exit is less than a mile away from the Washington
8Street exit and became available in October 2019; and
9 WHEREAS, the $9.3 million Terrace Avenue exit allows southbound motorist to get
10to the Washington Street area without having to cross multiple lanes of traffic; and
11 WHEREAS, to alleviate traffic as well as promote the safety of the state and citizens
12of Louisiana the Washington Street exit on 1-10 should be closed.
13 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
14urge and request the Department of Transportation and Development to review the road
15conditions at the Washington Street exit on I-10 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and close the
16exit to improve safety.
17 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
18secretary 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 74 Original 2024 Regular Session McMakin
Urges and requests the Dept. of Transportation and Development to review the road
conditions at the Washington Street exit on I-10 and close the exit to improve safety.
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