Additional Parking Lanes

T-9

Observation

In addition to those already mentioned, a number of other Downtown streets provide greater traffic capacity than is demanded of them. These streets can be used to provide addi-tional parking either by converting one or both of their curbside lanes into parking lanes, or by squeezing an additional parking lane into the roadway. In this latter instance, the introduction of an additional lane serves to bring the travel lanes down to a standard urban width, which will help to control speeding.

Recommendation

Convert the two outer lanes of Fourth Street to metered parking lanes. If rush hour traffic proves to be a problem, mark “No Parking” in the northbound lane from 7-9 AM and in the southbound lane from 4-6 PM. Convert Convention Street and Lafayette Street from three lanes (two travel, one parking) to four lanes (two travel, two parking).

Responsibility

Office of the Mayor

Project Status

Recommendation

The Baton Rouge Downtown Transportation Plan recommends converting Fourth Street to two travel lanes with a middle turning lane and a parking lane on the east side. This Priority Project was completed in March 2002.

Lafayette Street will remain one-way but the east travel lane was converted to parking in February 2002, leaving one travel lane with parking lanes on the east and west sides (first Priority Project to be completed).

Convention Street is to remain one-way.

Implementation

Explanation of Terms

Product

Comprehensive Road Improvements

Responsibility

OM & DDD

Implementing Agent

DPW

Feasibility Analysis

DPW

Initial Financing

PBR

Project Financing

CPF & FF

Timing