Rodney Mallet from the Department of Transportation discusses preparations for an upcoming snowstorm in Baton Rouge. He explains that the department has pre-staged salt, brine, and equipment across the state. Major bridges were pretreated with brine over the weekend, and this process will continue to ensure safety.
Mallet highlights that some routes, like the Chapala Basin Bridge, will likely freeze and become impassable, necessitating closures. The focus will be on keeping at least one major route open in each direction: I-49 for north-south travel, I-10 for east-west travel, and US 190 and 61. The Mississippi River Bridge over I-10 will also be pretreated, but if it freezes, traffic will be rerouted to the US 190 UEP Long Bridge.
He advises the public to avoid travel during the storm, as conditions will be hazardous. Elevated routes like 1-10 will be closed early due to their susceptibility to freezing. Ground-level routes will be prioritized for keeping open.
Mallet mentions that Arkansas is sending additional resources, including snow plows and salt spreaders, to assist Louisiana. This collaborative effort aims to keep roads open as long as possible.
For local travel, Mallet notes that the Amy River Bridge will be a focus, with resources allocated to keep it open if possible. In New Orleans, the Bonnet Carré Spillway will be treated similarly to other major bridges, with alternate routes available if it becomes impassable.
He emphasizes the importance of planning ahead, driving slowly, and using caution. The public is encouraged to check 511la.org for the latest updates on road conditions, as they can change rapidly.