The DPW has appointed Melissa Guilbeau as the new Urban Transportation Coordinator. As a new member of the DPW, Ms. Guilbeau recently was an invited speaker at the November BRASS meeting. Ms. Guilbeau spent most of the meeting listening and responding to questions from BRASS members. Several ideas for bicycling advocacy were discussed and will be pursued by BRASS.
Capital Region Bicycle Pedestrian CommitteeThe Capital Region Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee meets the second Tuesday of the month at 5:30 p.m. at the CRPC office (333 N. 19th St., Baton Rouge).
This group recommends new bicycle and pedestrian (bike-ped) facilities for the Baton Rouge metropolitan area. They also ensure that bike-ped facilities are integrated with road construction progects, including addressing problems with existing facilities. They advocate and strategize the bike-ped projects from concept, up to and including funding. Finally they prommote education of bike riders, pedestrains, and motor vehicle operators on important bike-ped safety issues. This committee seeks to prioritize and advise on issues important for bicycles and pedestrains. At a recent BRASS meeting, it was suggested that there is money for street signage of bike routes. This money is being held up until a council resolution releases they money. This is an opportunity for BRASS to use its advocacy role.
The Green Light PlanBaton Rouge has voted to extend the "pot hole" tax to fund a slate of road improvements. The road improvements are now in the improvement phase. Bike paths are not included in the plans except for a small section of Burbank. Fortunately, they have included sidewalks in the plans. You can find links to proposed road design at:
http://brgov.com/greenlight/addlresource.htm
We all know that retrofitting bike lanes after it is built is unlikely. Contact your council person, the mayor and the department of public works suggestion that bike lanes be included. Let's help make Baton Rouge a great city.
Director of Public Works
Peter Newkirk, P.E.
300 North Boulevard Room 208
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
(225) 389-3158
pnewkirk@brgov.com
Mayor-President Melvin 'Kip' Holden,
222 Saint Louis St.
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
(225) 389-5100 Office
mayor@brgov.com
Link to council members and contact info
http://brgov.com/dept/council/