MLK gridlock focus of Houma-Thibodaux planning committee

The Houma-Thibodaux Metropolitan Planning Organization discussed ways to improve traffic along Martin Luther King Boulevard, in Houma, at the Transportation Policy Committee meeting, last Thursday.

Lyle LeBlanc, DOTD district engineer, offered two possible solutions for improvements to Martin Luther King Boulevard. “The first option would be to put some type of raised islands in there,” he said, “and make designated left-turn lanes. Then prohibit the left turns out of some of the driveways.”

LeBlanc said that option would eliminate the current continuous-turn lane that exists along the boulevard, and designate left- and right-turn lanes.

However, the current roadway is not wide enough to provide for needed u-turns without going onto the shoulder. LeBlanc said that could be fixed by paving the shoulders and allowing vehicles to use the right shoulder for U-turns; or a complete rebuilding and widening of the boulevard.

The second solution for improvements to the boulevard is by constructing roundabouts at certain areas. “The federal government’s willing to participate in (roundabouts),” said LeBlanc. “The powers that be claim that these roundabouts will work. The problem is, will people around here be able to handle them, because you’re going to have four-lane roundabouts, and it’s kind of ticklish to negotiate.”

Scott Leger, with South Central Planning and Development, said that Lafayette uses an “aggressive roundabout program.”

“The have several in place right now that you can go look at and see how they operate,” he explained. “It works very well in Lafayette, in the locations they have put some. Now they have put some in some bad locations and removed them because they didn’t work.”

LeBlanc said if roundabouts were the final decision, they would likely be placed at Enterprise and Corporate Drives, as well as one near Wal-Mart. The roundabouts would eliminate the traffic signals, said LeBlanc

“The advantage of the roundabout will be that the federal government will put in a lot of money for the roundabouts,” said LeBlanc. “We’d just be looking at the money for putting in the raised islands.”

No timetable was given on when the roundabouts could be constructed, but LeBlanc said the parish is in good position to receive help when it comes to paying for the improvements. “Because of the high accidents, we’re actually in a good position … of getting federal money to make roundabouts, or safety money to do improvements.

“We could do our thing with the money, where we prohibit left (turns) … and wait on the roundabouts, or wait on the reconstruction. That’s what we need to decide,” he said.

The committee agreed to invite Tony Tramel, who oversees the roundabouts in Lafayette, to attend the next meeting, on June 14.