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