Krystal Boothe wants to know where you see traffic problems. From speeding cars, to downed stop signs, non-working lights or cars running red lights, she wants to know the traffic issues you face. Call her at 260-4WWL or submit the information here. Please put a contact number or e-mail so that we can reach you for more information. The contact info will NOT be made public.

2008-05-16

Friday, May 16

TRAFFIC WATCH HOTLINE:
Please call the Traffic Watch Hotline Monday-Friday from 4:30 a.m.- 9 a.m. with any traffic information. The number is (504)260-4WWL (4995). If you have any traffic-related questions, please leave your name and number so I can get back to you.

FERRY BOATS: 2 Belle Chasse, 1 Chalmette, 1 Pointe a la Hache, 1 vehicle Canal-Algiers, 1 vehicle Jackson-Gretna


The Plaquemine Ferry is out of service, according the the Dept. of Transportation and Development as of Thursday, April 24.

Regional Transit Authority (RTA) expands streetcar services!
The RTA has increased the number of streetcars running on the Canal Street-Carrollton line between the ferry and beauregard circle. It has also extended bus routes. The following route and schedule changes will take effect Sunday, July 8:
* The new 62-Morrison Express will provide express service between downtown New Orleans and the portion of New Orleans East north of I-10. The route will be almost identical to that of the pre-Katrina bus line of the same name, running as far as Bullard Avenue, and will also take in an area between Bullard Avenue and Paris Road that was covered before the storm by 72-Paris Road Express. Riders who travel between New Orleans East and downtown will be charged the express fare, just as before.
* The new 80-Louisa will run between Chef Menteur Highway and St. Claude Avenue, on a route very similar to that used before the storm.
* 32-Leonidas will be extended, and will provide crosstown service along Carrollton Avenue between Palmetto Street and Esplanade Avenue.
* Streetcar service on Canal Street will run much more frequently, with a streetcar scheduled every 15 minutes, all day, 7 days a week. Streetcars will also run the length of Canal more quickly than before, with end-to-end travel times now comparable to those of Canal Street buses. Bus service on Canal Street will be cut back to skeleton levels.
* Travel times along almost every bus line have been tweaked to more accurately reflect post-Katrina traffic conditions. Because of this, many departure times will change.
* Buses will run earlier on Saturday and Sunday mornings on several lines around the city. Fares will stay the same.

POST KATRINA TRAFFIC CONCERNS:

State Highway Commission says traffic fatalities are down, Fatality crashes and Roadway debris


TOLL AND FERRIES INFORMATION:
UPDATE: The Edgard, Reserve Ferry in St. John Parish will be out of service Thursday, October 12 - mid March, 2007 for Mississippi River levee repairs. Motorists can use the Veterans Memorial Bridge at Gramercy in St. James Parish and the Hale Boggs Bridge in St. Charles Parish.

New ferry to be added to Mississippi River fleet

Crescent City Connection officials said bad weather, delays on getting materials to repair the boats and funding is why an extra boat is not available at Chalmette. Click here for more.

UPDATE: The Canal St./Algiers ferry service hours have been extended. Beginning Sunday, July 1 the last ferry leaving Canal Street for Algiers will depart at 12:15 a-m. Until then, operating hours are 6a.m.-9p.m.

A car carrier is also in service at Chalmette from 6 a.m.-8:45 p.m. and a boat is available at Jackson Gretna.

Two boats are available at Belle Chase. Only light traffic allowed on the ferry. The Belle Chasse Ferry will be open all day Wednesday, September 20. It will not close from 10a.m.-2p.m.

The Pointe a la Hache ferry resumed operations on Wednesday, June 7, 2006. The ferry has been out of operation due to damages to the ramps during Hurricane Katrina. The ferry will be operating on its regular schedule from 6 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.

Hurricane Katrina damaged the Chalmette ferries. See how the boats were salvaged after the storm and the role the Belle Chase ferries played in its recovery. Story aired on 10/26/05. Click here to see story.

BRIDGE INFORMATION:
UPDATE: The Chef Menteur Pass Bridge on Hwy 90 is open to vehicular traffic, but closed to marine traffic. Stability issues with the surrounding soil delayed the original April 15th deadline. Watch the story (opening date changed) Story aired 8/3/06.

UPDATE: The westbound span of the Twinspan re-opened Friday, January 6th, but there's more good news for northshore commuters. Officials announced at a ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday with plans for a 6-lane bridge. Click here for story. According to DOTD, crews began driving test pilings in the soil on Monday, August 21. This process is expected to last one or two weeks.

UPDATE: The Hammond Highway Bridge by the 17 Street Canal has reopened to vehicular traffic.

Port of New Orleans officials say the Almonaster Bridge and Florida Bridges are closed for repairs, but the St Claude Ave Bridge is open.

The Senator Ted Hickey Bridge (formerly Seabrook Bridge) is open to vehicle traffic.

The West and East Pearl River Bridges on Hwy 90 are open to traffic.

MISSISSIPPI STATE INFORMATION:
UPDATE: MDOT officials say all lanes of traffic will open on Hwy 90 in Biloxi, Wednesday, December 21st. Biloxi will be open on Hwy 90 between Debuys Rd to I-110. Temporary traffic lights have been set up in the area for motorists. 2 lanes of traffic are already open on Hwy 90 between Pass Christian and I-110 in Biloxi.

CONSTRUCTION/ LANE RESTRICTIONS:


Terry Pkwy will be reduced from two lanes to one in both directions between the Westbank Expy and Carol Sue Ave. in Terrytown beginning Monday, May 19 at 9a.m. until Friday, October 31 at 4:30p.m. The closure is necessary to replace street panels.


The 4th Street Harvey Bridge (LA 18) is closed to vehicular traffic until further notice as of Thursday, May 15 due to mechanical problems. Commuters should take the Westbank Expy.


There will be a slow-moving operation in the left lane of I-12 in both directions between LA 434 and the I-10/ I-59 Interchange Tuesday, May 20 - Thursday, May 22 from 8p.m.-4a.m. for pavement marking replacement.


The lane closures scheduled on the Huey P. Long Bridge for May 16 have been cancelled due to the inclement weather. The inside lane will be closed in both directions Saturday, May 17 from 7a.m.-3p.m.


The I-55 Southbound right lane on-ramp at LA 22, Ponchatoula will be closed Monday, May 19 - Saturday, May 24 from 6a.m.-6p.m. for emergency repairs.


There will be alternating lane closures on the I-10 Westbound Twin Span Monday, May 19 - Wednesday, May 21 from 10a.m.-2p.m. for maintenance work.


There will be a moving operation to sweep the I-10 and I-610 between the Jefferson-Orleans Parish line and the Twin Spans Monday, May 19 - Wednesday, May 21 from 8p.m.-5a.m. each day.


The right lane of I-55 Southbound will be closed between LA 16 to LA 40 Monday, May 19 - Saturday, May 24 from 6a.m.-6p.m. for concrete repairs.


The right lane will be closed on the I-310 Southbound on the main span of the Hale Boggs Memorial Bridge Monday, May 12 - Wednesday, May 28 from 8a.m.-3:30p.m. on weekdays only for bridge maintenance.


The eastbound right lane on Lapalco Blvd will be closed at Bayou Segnette in Westwego Friday, May 16 from 9a.m.-noon for maintenance work. A flagman will direct traffic on the westbound lane.


The left lane will be closed in the Belle Chasse Tunnel until repairs can be made. (5/16/08)


I-10 Westbound traffic near the new US 190 B Fremeaux Interchange will be shifted from the right lane to the median lane from 9p.m. - 5a.m. each night beginning Monday, May 19 - Thursday, May 23 for construction.


The left lane will be closed on I-10 Westbound at the Slidell Rest Area (mile post 270) Monday, May 12 - Thursday, May 15 from 8p.m.-5a.m. for shoulder work. The same restriction will take place Sunday, May 18 - Thursday, May 22 from 8p.m.-5a.m.


Magnolia Ridge Blvd in Mandeville will be closed at East Causeway Approach beginning Monday, May 12 from 6:30a.m.-3:30p.m. each week day until the required work on US 190 is complete. Set completion date is May 26.


There will be intermittent lane closures on I-12 in both directions between US 190 and the Bayou Lacombe Bridge Sunday, May 11 - Sunday, May 18 from 7p.m. - 6a.m. (Sunday - Thursday nights), 9p.m.-8a.m. (Friday nights) and 9p.m.-9a.m. (Saturday nights) for construction work.


There will be alternating side road closures on US 190 between LA 22 and Bayou Castine Wednesday, May 7 - Friday, May 30 from 6:30a.m.-3:30p.m. for roadway removal and replacement.


The left lane will be closed in both directions on the Huey P. Long Bridge Monday, May 12 - Friday, May 16 from 9a.m.-3p.m. and Saturday, May 17 from 7a.m.-3p.m. for truss monitoring.


For 30 days beginning Tuesday, May 6 the LA 1 Intracoastal Bridge will be closed in Larose from 6a.m.-6p.m. for construction. There will be road signs posted in the area. Alternate route for LA 1 southbound traffic: cross the new T-Bois Bridge located north of the Intracoastal Waterway to LA 308 southbound. To get back onto LA 1 on the south side of the Intracoastal Waterway, cross the Cut Off Bridge (also known as the McDonald’s Bridge). Alternate route for LA 1 northbound traffic: cross the Cut Off Bridge (also known as the McDonald’s Bridge) to LA 308. Travel north on LA 308 and be sure to follow LA 308 signs to cross Intracoastal Bridge. Cross the new T-Bois Bridge to get back onto LA 1. Note: Traffic can stay on LA 308 northbound all the way to US Hwy 90. Remember that oversized vehicles can not cross any of the pontoon bridges.


There will be a lane closure on the Huey P. Long Bridge Monday, May 5 - Friday, May 9 from 9a.m.-3p.m. and Saturday, May 10 from 7a.m.-3p.m. for truss monitoring. The westbound lane will be closed Tuesday. Both directions will be affected Wednesday. Thursday - Saturday only the eastbound left lane will be closed.


The right lane of I-55 Northbound will be closed from LA 10 to LA 38 in Tangipahoa Parish Monday, May 5 - May 30 from 6a.m.-7p.m. (weekdays) for right-of-way clearing and tree removal.


There will be intermittent lane closures in both directions on Dickory Ave. between Earhart and Citrus until Friday, June 27 from 7a.m.-3:30p.m. each week day for traffic signal installation. During that same time there will be intermittent lane closures in both directions on Jefferson Hwy between Deckbar and St. George. Work has been ongoing.


One lane will be closed on LA 18 from the Luling Bridge to the US 90 Jct. Thursdays - Saturdays until May 30 for road repairs. Crews will work Thursday and Friday from 6a.m.-4:30p.m. and Saturday from 6a.m.-2p.m.


The left lane of I-55 Southbound will be closed from LA 40 to LA 16 Monday, April 28 - Saturday, May 3 from 6a.m.-6p.m. for concrete repairs. The right lane will be closed in the same direction and area Monday, May 5 - Saturday, May 10 from 6a.m.-6p.m.


The southbound right lane will be closed on US 51 between I-12 and C.M. Fagan Drive Friday, April 25 - Friday, May 30 for concrete removal and repaving.


The southbound right lane will be closed on US 51 Business near the Hammond Square Mall Friday, April 25 - Friday, May 30 for concrete paving work.


Wilson Drive will be closed between W. Esplanade Ave and 39th Street and 37th Street will be closed between Jeanette Drive and Wilson Drive starting April 14 at 7a.m. through November 3 for sewerage work.


One lane will be closed in both directions on Veterans Blvd. between Roosevelt Blvd. and Massachusetts Ave. Monday, April 7 - Thursday, May 15 from 9a.m.-4p.m. for a private project.


There will be alternating lane closures on I-310 from the north end of the Hale Boggs Memorial Bridge to I-10 Monday, April 7 - May 23 from 7p.m.-6a.m. (Sunday - Thursday nights) for road repairs. Expect intermittent lane closures on the I-310 ramps at Airline Hwy.


There will be alternating lane closures in both directions on Elise Ave. between W. Metairie Ave. and Camphor Street Thursday, March 20 - May 20 for street panel replacement.


There will be lane closures in both directions on S. Claiborne Ave. between the Jefferson Parish line and S. Carrollton Ave. Tuesday, March 18 - August 1 from 7a.m.-5p.m. each day for roadway repairs.


The I-10 Westbound onramp at Bonnabel Blvd will be closed from 7a.m. March 17 - 7a.m. June 17 to complete a new overpass onramp to I-10.


Terry Pkwy will be reduced to one lane in each direction between Carol Sue Ave. and Guardian Ave. in Terrytown beginning Monday, February 11 through December for drainage improvements.


The bridge on US 61 is out of service near the nuclear plant in St. Francisville. Northbound cars will detour to LA 966 to LA 965 and back to US 61. Southbound will reverse that route. Northbound high profile trucks should take LA 68 to LA 10 to US 61.


Destrehan Avenue will close just south of the Westbank Expy. starting Monday, January 28 for roadway improvements. For approximately three weeks traffic will be detoured to the new section of Destrehan Avenue.


The Jefferson Hwy onramp to Northbound Causeway Blvd will be closed until August 2008 beginning Monday, December 3. Crews will be raising the height of the Causeway onramp above Jefferson Hwy, redecking the onramp and constructing a new barrier rail and lighting. A contractor will be working from 7a.m.-3:30p.m. and some nights, but the ramp will remain closed for the entire project. There will be a temporary left turn and traffic signal installed to enter Causeway north from the left lane of Jefferson Hwy eastbound.


Starting Friday, November 2 the Hwy 631 DesAllemands Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic until further notice for electrical repairs.


The right lane on Lapalco Blvd Eastbound will be closed over the Grand Cross Canal and traffic will be diverted to the median beginning Saturday, September 15 - Tuesday, June 6, 2009 for the construction of box culverts and a new roadway.


The Slidell Rest Area/ Tourist Center on I-10 West will be closed for renovations September 4 - June 1, 2008.


Beginning Tuesday, September 4 through July 2008 the Elmwood Canal Bridge at Kawanee Ave. will be closed, along with portions of Academy Dr. and Apollo Dr., so that crews can replace the bridge.


There will be alternating lane closures on LA 3017 (Engineers Rd.) between the Jefferson Parish line and LA 23 Wednesday, June 27 - Friday, December 21 from 6:30a.m.-6:30p.m. Monday - Friday with some Saturday work for shoulder paving and roadway overlay.


For local traffic in Mandeville, the speed limit has been reduced to 35 mph on LA 1088 from I-12 northward to LA 36 until further notice beginning Tuesday, March 27 for continuous maintenance repair.


The westbound lane will be closed on the I-10 S. Frontage Road from Homestead Ave. - Phosphor Dr. indefinitely beginning Monday, January 8 daily from 6:30a.m.-3:30p.m. for soundwall construction.


Beverly Garden Dr. will be completely closed at the I-10 South Service Rd. intersection indefinitely beginning Monday, October 23 so that half of the Bonnabel Canal Bridge can be removed.


Phase II of the Destrehan Avenue Road Improvement project in Harvey will begin Tuesday, September 12 at 10a.m. with a groundbreaking ceremony. The project includes widening the roadway with two new lanes resulting in a four-lane highway from Patriot St. to the Westbank Expressway. The project is set to be complete in February of 2008.


The eastbound lane on North I-10 Service Rd. between the 17th Street Canal and Rosa Dr. will be closed until furthur notice beginning Tuesday, May 23 for soundwall construction.

UPDATE: There will be lane closures northbound and southbound,weather permitting, on Hwy 190 from the Abita River Bridge/Harrison Ave to US 190 B. Crews will be working on the North bound roadway and bridge Sun.-Thurs. from 8p.m.-6a.m., Fri.-Sat. 9p.m.-8a.m.; and the South bound roadway Sun.-Thurs. 7p.m.-5a.m., Fri.-Sat. 9p.m.-8a.m. DOTD officials say they are installing turnlanes and widening Abita River bridge.

UPDATE: Lakeshore Drive has been reopened to vehicular traffic as of 10:00 August 9. All roads leading to and from Lakeshore Drive are open, as well.



For updated road closure information, log onto www.lsp.org or call 1-800-469-4828.

NORTHSHORE TRAFFIC:
New posted weight limit for the West bound Twin Span bridge:
- 20 tons Single Unit
- 35 tons Combination

Heavy traffic is not only a problem for commuters, but also for first responders. St. Tammany officials are working on plans to cut those delays in half. Story aired 12/6/05. Click to watch story

DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES NEW OFFICE LOCATIONS:
Jefferson Parish:
6701 Airline Hwy, Metairie
736-8666

2150 Westbank Expy, Harvey
Jefferson:
2001 Behrman Ave, Algiers
Baton Rouge:
7701 Independence Blvd.
(225) 925-6335

NEW ORLEANS PARKING/TICKETING INFO:
Parking Citation Fine Payment: 400 N. Claiborne Ave., from 8:30a.m. - 5p.m., Monday - Friday, or mailed to: P.O. Box 5282, New Orleans, LA 70152-2828, or pay online at www.cityofno.com.
Residents requiring new RPP decals can apply at 400 N. Claiborne Ave. (side entrance) from 8:30a.m. - 5p.m., Monday - Friday. RPP decals are $15 per year.
For more info: Mayor's Press Office (504) 658-4940

RTA BUS AND STREETCAR LINES:
As of April 2, 2006, the regional transit authority has changed a variety of bus and streetcar routes and schedules throughout the New Orleans area. Some lines will run more frequently, and others less frequently. Also, the hours of operation will increase on some lines and decrease on others. The Canal streetcar line will be extended and run its full pre-Katrina route, along Canal Street to the cemeteries and along North Carrolton to the Museum of Art. For more information, call the RTA Rideline at 248-3900 or get detailed schedules and maps online at, click here.

KENNER PARK-N-RIDE INFO
According to the city of Kenner's website, the Kenner Park n' Ride will resume service Monday morning, January 30th at 6:30 and 7:30 a.m. The bus leaves from West Esplanade Ave and Grandlake Blvd and will make several stops downtown. The bus will return to Kenner at 5 and 6 p.m. A roundtrip bus trip costs $8 or $4 for one way. For more information, log on to www.kenner.la.us or call 468-7240. Click here for a schedule of times.

BATON ROUGE/NEW ORLEANS SHUTTLE BUS INFO
The LA Swift free shuttle bus service that transports displaced residents, workers, and job-seekers between Baton Rouge and New Orleans will now run on a different route and schedule. It will discontinue service at the Highland Road and Sorrento stops as of Sept. 23. The bus service will continue making stops in LaPlace in addition to providing express service between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. LA Swift is funded by FEMA in cooperation with CATS (Baton Rouge transit system) and RTA (New Orleans transit system). It is an initiative of the Louisiana Recovery Authority. For more information on updated times and schedules, log on to www.laswift.com or call 1-877-452-3683. For additional information call DOTD's Customer Service Center at (225) 379-1232 or toll-free at (877) 4LA-DOTD (1-877-452-3683).

NEW ORLEANS PARKING METER HOLIDAYS
The following days are parking meter holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, Mardi Gras Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, Labor Day and Memorial Day.
For updated road closure information, log onto www.lsp.org or call 1-800-469-4828.

DOTD - New Orleans Traffic Cameras
http://www.dotd.state.la.us/press/traffic_cameras/cameras_no.asp?camera=Cam1

DOTD - Baton Rouge Traffic Cameras
http://www.dotd.state.la.us/press/traffic_cameras/traffic.asp?page=br_cameras

Condition of N.O. East street upsets neighbors

2008-03-13

For years neighbors say they've complained about the condition of their street in New Orleans East and now they say they've had enough.

What does and doesn't get a ticket at the red light cameras

2008-03-07

N.O. public works director Robert Mendoza explains that the light has to be red 'before' you enter the intersection for you to get a ticket in N.O.

Making Airline Drive safer

2008-02-18

A stretch of Airline Drive in St. Charles Parish has seen more than its share of severe accidents, so can it be made safer? Susan Edwards reports.

Guessing game at one Slidell intersection

2007-11-30

Traffic Reporter Krystal Booth reports.

Commuters say a lack of signs is making one intersection very dangerous

2007-10-26

Krystal Boothe has the story.

Metairie intersection causing headaches for drivers

2007-10-19

Traffic Reporter Krystal Boothe has the story.

Traffic Watch: Cut offs prominent at east traffic circle near Huey P. Long Bridge

2007-06-01

Some drivers will do anything to get ahead in rush hour traffic, even if it means putting others at risk. In fact, it happens almost every evening at the east traffic circle near the Huey P. Long Bridge. But those drivers may not get away with it much longer. Traffic Watch Reporter Krystal Boothe tells us why.

Traff Watch: Engineers try to solution for accidents on congested Martin Luther King Blvd.

2007-05-11

Commuters in Houma say it's one of the worst areas to drive. With more than 400 crashes there last year, a two-mile stretch of Martin Luther King Boulevard even has state police and traffic engineers in a tail-spin. But Traffic Reporter Krystal Boothe explains there may be a solution.

Traffic Watch: State Police cracking down on speeders along stretch of I-12

2007-05-04

State Police said there's one traffic hot spot where they're working to change people's driving habits and attitudes. They've stepped up patrols for speeding along a stretch of Interstate 12, but is it having an impact? Traffic Watch reporter Krystal Boothe took a radar gun there to find out.