Since last month, Sheriff Lonnie Greco and the PPSO fielded numerous complaints regarding the evening traffic congestion in Belle Chasse. We sincerely appreciate all the suggestions and feedback received. As a result of the publics concerns and frustrations, Sheriff Greco and members of the PPSO met with State and Parish lawmakers, the U.S. Guard, Parish Government, DOTD officials, Phillips 66 personnel, and the JPSO and Louisiana State Police to come up with solutions. We are pleased to announce the following joint-news release from the House of Representatives, which was issued this afternoon. NEWS RELEASE Louisiana House of Representatives November 25, 2014 • Contact: Glen Duncan (225) 342-9795 Judge Perez Bridge: Lawmakers get extra hour for rush traffic BELLE CHASSE – State Representative Chris Leopold (R-Belle Chasse) announced today that the request to lessen rush hour traffic snarls at the Judge Perez Bridge on State Highway 23 has been granted by the U.S. Coast Guard. Starting immediately, the draw bridge will be open to automobile traffic continuously during afternoon drive time for an additional hour, from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm. Three full hours of continuous traffic operation, from 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm each weekday, will remain in effect until February 20, 2015. This means the draw bridge will be in the closed or down position for the entire three-hour period, allowing automobile traffic to flow freely. “We had to accommodate the large number of workers that have come to our area temporarily,” Leopold said, “and ensure that transport to our hospitals during rush hour could occur as quickly as possible.” Leopold said this was a project that he and state Senator David Heitmeier had been working on with Plaquemines Parish Sheriff Lonnie Greco and the parish government. “This extension of curfew times helps to reduce high volumes of traffic in Plaquemines Parish during heavy commuting hours,” said Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser. “I am extremely thankful to Representative Chris Leopold, Senator David Heitmeier and the Coast Guard for working together to help lessen the bridge traffic problem that often affects drivers throughout Plaquemines Parish.” Traffic had become a nuisance and a safety hazard due in part to a marked increase in traffic caused by an increased maintenance effort at the nearby Phillips 66 facility, which has drawn thousands of additional contract workers to the site. “The Sheriff’s Office expresses extreme gratitude to the individuals who assisted in making the bridge curfew extension possible, especially Chief David Frank with the United States Coast Guard, State Senator David Heitmeier and State Representative Chris Leopold,” said Sheriff Lonnie J. Greco, Sr. “With this change, the evening traffic flow in Belle Chasse will improve and the gridlock on LA 23 and Woodland Highway, or LA 406, will be alleviated. Many of our citizens and those traveling through Plaquemines Parish voiced concerns and frustrations about the daily troublesome congestion. More importantly, the routine backup posed a major public safety issue for any emergency vehicle needing to make way its throughout or outside of the Parish. Consequently and as a huge relief, this modification should lessen these difficulties.” Previously, the Coast Guard granted the additional hour to start Dec. 25, but faster than expected traffic increases prompted the officials collectively to request the extra hour start immediately. ####
Posted on: Wed, 26 Nov 2014 01:23:39 +0000
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