A few comments about Louisiana (mall, medical, transit)

[mhounit]

One of the problems is that a lot of folks can't get from one side of town to the other unless they get on the Interstate , or one of the major streets like Airline Hwy , Perkins Rd , etc. This adds to the already crowded roads .

[Caa]

Originally Posted by ktulu7

Actually, I'm going to agree with our friend from Florida. I think drivers in Baton Rouge are quite nice and typically let you out of side streets. It's usually the folks in New Orleans that will run you over for changing lanes. I'm moving to San Antonio right now, and THAT place has some extremely stupid drivers, so BR's got nothing on them. Still, the scariest place I've driven on a freeway has got to be Memphis. I think folks in BR typically let people out because traffic's ALWAYS backed up here. If they don't let people out during rush hour, no one will ever get out, and tomorrow it could be the other person that is trying to get onto the freeway, soooo that's my theory on why people seem to typically let you out onto the road or into a lane. I have to deal with the lane-merging game every day on my commute. I'm sick of doing this, so I'm trying to move as closely as possible to my new office in San Antonio, 'cause it's a nightmare to do that there.

As far as litter, I can't freaking stand it. I wish there were an easier way to bust people for that!

love you! I agree!

[annie_himself]

Originally Posted by mhounit

One of the problems is that a lot of folks can't get from one side of town to the other unless they get on the Interstate , or one of the major streets like Airline Hwy , Perkins Rd , etc. This adds to the already crowded roads .

That's the reason I think we need to upgrade Florida and Airline to near freeway standards.

[mhounit]

Originally Posted by annie_himself

That's the reason I think we need to upgrade Florida and Airline to near freeway standards.

Well , let me clarify . They don't how to get from one side of town to the other without getting on the Interstate , etc. They couldn't cut through on side streets to save their life .

[southseeker]

It's my belief that BR isn't ever going to seriously improve its traffic situation until we actually make a commitment to improve the public transport system, and I don't mean just buses. The main issue with BR is that you have to have a car to get anywhere on time, and until that is solved, we are stuck with our traffic problems in my view.

[mhounit]

Originally Posted by southseeker

It's my belief that BR isn't ever going to seriously improve its traffic situation until we actually make a commitment to improve the public transport system, and I don't mean just buses. The main issue with BR is that you have to have a car to get anywhere on time, and until that is solved, we are stuck with our traffic problems in my view.

I wouldn't hold your breath . The money isn't there , and I'm not sure a super duper public transportation system is the answer anyway . How many people do you know that would give up the freedom and independance of driving their own car , to ride a bus everywhere ? Not as many as you think . Especially in the younger demographic . This isn't New York or Chicago . The situation is different .

[annie_himself]

Originally Posted by mhounit

Well , let me clarify . They don't how to get from one side of town to the other without getting on the Interstate , etc. They couldn't cut through on side streets to save their life .

Many Baton Rouge residents use side streets like Perkins, College, Highland, Jefferson etc but it's still not enough, our infrastructure isn't up to par and the construction on widening I-10 and I-12 currently underway isn't going to fix anything. I would like a better city wide grid and extend all streets that end in odd fashion (Starring Ln, for example).

Originally Posted by southseeker

It's my belief that BR isn't ever going to seriously improve its traffic situation until we actually make a commitment to improve the public transport system, and I don't mean just buses. The main issue with BR is that you have to have a car to get anywhere on time, and until that is solved, we are stuck with our traffic problems in my view.

Not many people will be willing to use PT in a city like ours. CATS is a failure and has been forever, everyone knows that and most people aren't used to any for of PT other than maybe an airport. I think any form of rail should only be tried in South Medical District or LSU-Downtown. Employees can ride it and feel safe and LSU students don't have to worry about DUIs anymore. But that's still a big if. The bus system needs to be privatized and re-routed with all new buses and bus shelters instead of bus stops. Tax payers aren't gonna give this the time of day.

[southseeker]

Originally Posted by mhounit

I wouldn't hold your breath . The money isn't there , and I'm not sure a super duper public transportation system is the answer anyway . How many people do you know that would give up the freedom and independance of driving their own car , to ride a bus everywhere ? Not as many as you think . Especially in the younger demographic . This isn't New York or Chicago . The situation is different .

And that's really the issue. I don't expect the culture here to ever accept an improvement in public transportation as an option, nor be willing to accept the necessary tax increases and sacrifices to take on such a measure.

[pandorafan5687]

Lake Charles!

The roads would be smoother if they were gravel(literally)
Drivers here can't drive for beans
The city has more potential than almost any city it's size, but yet our administration sits on their asses.

[WestbankNOLA]

Originally Posted by southseeker

And that's really the issue. I don't expect the culture here to ever accept an improvement in public transportation as an option, nor be willing to accept the necessary tax increases and sacrifices to take on such a measure.

With that, as the city continues to grow and fill they'll continue to suffer from that mentality or hopefully they'll be some random shift in culture will take place. They can build highways and add lanes all day, but that really won't get them anywhere. More lanes invite more traffic and if/after the city reaches a certain point it might hurt development since one of the current trends is for business and developers to locate in areas that have access to transit.