NEW SUBDIVISION, BRILLIANT IDEA

[TBEAR]

Before I say anything read this article from the advertiser:

www.theadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060129/NEWS01/601290329/1002

This is brilliant, another big, new, subdivision and apartment complex on a substandard rd (Kaliste Saloom).

The traffic is already bad at this location and a qoute from city is: "The widening of Kaliste Saloom and E Broussard roads are planned for 2028," said Hollier. "That's if everything goes as planned. That plan is based on pre-Katrina and pre-Rita."

So that means maybe 2040 you think? And magically because its post Katrina and Rita they'll widen it sooner? I cant wait till they start selling the city residents fiber. They cant even plan a road much less plan to run fiber lines all over the city.

Wait till the new residents in there find out how hard it will be to get out of their new development, they will be screaming at everyone.

If you dont already, travel this area at peak traffic times you will get frustrated beyond belief. Just for kicks click on this LCG traffic counter map from 2003 - 2004 if you want to see the difference in southside traffic to northside traffic, and remember this was 2 years ago prior to 20,000 plus people living in lafayette:

gis.lafayettela.gov/website/2003_2004_TrafficCountMap/viewer.htm

If you dont want to fumble with the viewer, that doesnt work half the time, I'll give you an example of two roads north and south within a 24 hour time period

04/01/2004, Kaliste Saloom near Ambassador Caffery (two lane road)=25053 cars. 05/20/04, Moss st at Willow(four lane rd)=18620 cars

Now remember thats not a year that is in a 24 hour period. Thats a difference of 6344 cars on a TWO LANE ROAD back then.

You would think that the LCG would use their head and stop worrying about wasting money on some useless I-10 service roads.

Why aren't private developers looking to build these monstrosities on the north side of town?

[zoe10850]

admin said:

Before I say anything read this article from the advertiser:

www.theadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060129/NEWS01/601290329/1002

This is brilliant, another big, new, subdivision and apartment complex on a substandard rd (Kaliste Saloom).

The traffic is already bad at this location and a qoute from city is: "The widening of Kaliste Saloom and E Broussard roads are planned for 2028," said Hollier. "That's if everything goes as planned. That plan is based on pre-Katrina and pre-Rita."

So that means maybe 2040 you think? And magically because its post Katrina and Rita they'll widen it sooner? I cant wait till these brain surgeons start selling the city residents fiber, that should be a joke. They cant even plan a road much less plan to run fiber lines all over the city.

The company that is making the subdivsion aren't even from here, they are from Mississippi. Wait till the new residents in there find out how hard it will be to get out of their new development, they will be screaming at everyone.

If you dont already, travel this area at peak traffic times you will get frustrated beyond belief. Just for kicks click on this LCG traffic counter map from 2003 - 2004 if you want to see the difference in southside traffic to northside traffic, and remember this was 2 years ago prior to 20,000 plus people living in lafayette:

gis.lafayettela.gov/website/2003_2004_TrafficCountMap/viewer.htm

If you dont want to fumble with the viewer, that doesnt work half the time, I'll give you an example of two roads north and south within a 24 hour time period

04/01/2004, Kaliste Saloom near Ambassador Caffery (two lane road)=25053 cars. 05/20/04, Moss st at Willow(four lane rd)=18620 cars

Now remember thats not a year that is in a 24 hour period. Thats a difference of 6344 cars on a TWO LANE ROAD back then.

You would think that the LCG would use their head and stop worrying about wasting money on some useless I-10 service roads just to passify two people.

Why aren't private developers looking to build these monstrosities on the north side of town? I dont have to answer that everyone here knows why.

[zoe10850]

Hit it on the head, and is related to my post re: PLANNING. The d**n road should be built before the traffic, not the other way around. I have never been to an urban planning school, but I know it is stupid to devote money and effort to things like fiber when we as a community have so many other URGENT needs, traffic being foremost. The city has created a monster and people wonder why drivers are impatient. Look at the development along the Hwy 90 corridor (east). I certainly hope the "interstate" is elevated because it takes a long time to get out of town towards New Iberia.

Perhaps the developers should be required to "chip" in for infrastructure, or build their own roads.

[TBEAR]

Heres the link to the contractor, building the location:

www.thebryanco.com/Grand-Pointe.htm

you can click on the picture to see it larger, they even put some little cars on Kaliste Saloom rd passing in front of it. They better add some more little cars cause that sure aint enough.

You can also see how curved Kaliste Saloom rd is where they are putting the entrances, wait somebody is going to die trying to leave out of there after getting hit by another car traveling around the curve.

[TBEAR]

Another article in todays paper:

www.theadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060130/NEWS01/601300306/1002

Now he wants us to help him decide on how to get money for roads, isn't that why he was elected to make wise business decisions.

"My job starting Jan. 31 is to lay out the facts so people can make educated decisions," Durel said recently. "I'm open to having organizations help us look at the issues and help develop priorities for the community."

What kind of decisions is he talking about? Priorities? If he is talking about where to spend money for roads, it is not difficult to read traffic flow counts like I already posted .

In 1997, voters in the city of Lafayette approved the sale of $229 million in bonds for a list of capital projects, including roads, drainage and a new golf course.

I dont think we needed a golf course before roads, .

[TBEAR]

Just saw some of the news and City Parish Presidents ideas on how to get more money to build roads.

How about postponing the fiber until you get roads built then bring in the fiber. I think his priorities should be about the citizens currently living in Lafayette and stop trying to attract businesses that will come here for a few years then leave and could care less about our community.

[TBEAR]

Adverstiser Article for durel's speech also has several .mp3 files of the speech you can download and listen to.

www.theadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060201/NEWS01/60131009/1002

[zoe10850]

maybe the Home Rule Charter could be amended to allow "propositions" like California does....then politicians would never really have to make those "tough" decisions....let the people decide...

[percy]

Actually, the charter does provide for propositions and initiatives as well, should the council refuse to deal with a matter. The process is relatively simple. See Section 6.01 of the charter; Initiative and Referendum.
"The electors of the Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government shall have the power, except as herein restricted, to propose to the council passage, amendment or repeal of ordinances and to vote on the question if the council refuses action. " Kinda like the sound of that!