re: Why Do The Audubon & Gramercy Bridges Exist?

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I’ve driven across the Gramercy multiple times and, after crossing the river, the road dead ends in a field and turns around to a two lane road by the levee.

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Years ago I read an article online that explained the political favors and process that went into placing the Audubon Bridge where it is. The webpage looked shitty like it was created on angel fire or something and I have never been able to find it again.

The LA 3127 tie-in from the Gramercy bridge was always planned since the bridge was built. But like the bridge that sat stalled above the levee for many years, the tie-in to LA 3127 took many years to complete. The tie-in opened in 2009, over 10 years ago. I don't use the bridge often, but I do use LA 3127 and see that the Gramercy bridge has very large usage in the mornings and evenings for plant commuters. There is even a traffic light at the 3127 intersection now. It would not surprise me if the Gramercy bridge crossings totaled into the thousands per day.

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They even put a light at 3127 there.

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When?

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If you look at it on a map, DOTD could complete 3127 all the way to Gross Tete and you could extend to i-55. Therefore, you have a ready-made loop that the majority of the land for a 4 - lane highway is in place. It could be further connected to the Audubon bridge and you would have a route North to bypass BR and East to bypass BR. It would connect to 61, 190, LA-1, Hwy 70, Airline below Gonzales, Hwy 90, and I-310. If the State was serious and wanted a fast route to bypass BR, this is ready-made for it.

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I can’t imagine how many and how long the studies would be for all of that.

The bridge you speak of was part of the TIMED program passed by the legislature and voted on by the people. It was paid for by a 4 cent gas tax.

"The TIMED (Transportation Infrastructure Model for Economic Development) Program was a $5.2 billion transportation infrastructure program designed to increase economic development in Louisiana by investing in transportation improvement projects. The program began in 1989 when voters approved a 4¢/gallon tax on gasoline to fund the projects designated by Act 16 of the 1989 Louisiana legislature. The TIMED program included widening over 500 miles of state highways to four lanes on 11 project corridors, widening and/or new construction on three major bridges, and improvements to both the Port of New Orleans and Louis Armstrong International Airport."

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I can’t imagine how many and how long the studies would be for all of that.

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If Trump restricts the permitting requirements of the Corps and FHWA it wouldn't be bad.

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The bridge you speak of was part of the TIMED program passed by the legislature and voted on by the people. It was paid for by a 4 cent gas tax.

"The TIMED (Transportation Infrastructure Model for Economic Development) Program was a $5.2 billion transportation infrastructure program designed to increase economic development in Louisiana by investing in transportation improvement projects. The program began in 1989 when voters approved a 4¢/gallon tax on gasoline to fund the projects designated by Act 16 of the 1989 Louisiana legislature. The TIMED program included widening over 500 miles of state highways to four lanes on 11 project corridors, widening and/or new construction on three major bridges, and improvements to both the Port of New Orleans and Louis Armstrong International Airport."

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It's not as if all the bureaucratic gobbledygook doublespeak in the world will make it make any more sense, you know?

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The Audubon Bridge’s construction was part of the state’s Transportation Infrastructure Model for Economic Development Program, which was established by Act 16 of the 1989 legislative session. The program is funded with a dedicated 4-cents-per-gallon, voter-approved gas tax.

Mallett said the TIMED Program included 16 specific projects aimed at spurring economic development in Louisiana, not traffic congestion relief.

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