Providing resilient traffic management for a key hurricane evacuation route between New Orleans and Baton Rouge

I-10 Corridor - US 61 to LaPlace ITS Deployment

The Interstate 10 (I-10) Corridor between New Orleans and Baton Rouge is among the most traveled routes for Louisiana motorists and serves as a main evacuation route for both cites. With more than 50 percent of the state’s population and jobs in these two metro areas, improving efficiency, safety, and reliability along the corridor was essential. The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LaDOTD) engaged our Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) team to evaluate various needs and the unique challenges of Louisiana’s swamps, bayous, and energy infrastructure.

The 20-mile (32-kilometre) rural segment from U.S. Route 61 (US-61) to the US-51/I-55 interchange includes 4 miles (6 kilometres) of bridge structures with limited utility power. The cost to build out utility power distribution to the I-10 Corridor for four ITS sites was over $1 million, plus right-of-way acquisition and clearing. Applying green ITS concepts, our design uses solar energy to enable traffic management centers to monitor the roadway during severe weather, support of quick dispatch of motor assistance patrol and emergency response, and provide motorists with up-to-date information.

We prepared final plans, cost estimates, and a transportation management plan to extend the Baton Rouge ITS along I-10 from the I-10/US-61 interchange to the LaPlace Radio Tower. The plans included details for CCTV camera sites, pole foundation design, solar powered site design, and details for attaching conduit for fiber optic cabling to existing bridge structures.

LaDOTD’s implementation of these ITS installations will enhance commute reliability, reduce secondary crashes, and improve quality of life for Louisiana residents.