LA Highways (Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Washington: travel, jobs, contractor)

[DAVID_S]

Can someone please explain what the problem is with the highways in Louisiana. Twice a year, we travel through Louisiana, stopping on the way to see friends in Baton Rouge, and on the way back in the Shreveport area. I have never seen interstate highways in such a constant state of disrepair/construction. Driving down I-10 it feels like our vehicle is getting destroyed. We even see the same road construction signs up in the same place, year after year. Don't mean to criticize LA, just wondering what is going on???

[Trishyj]

In Louisiana, we just take our time to get things done! I just moved here from MD and have had to completely readjust my attitude. When things are slow in MD we **** and moan and complain. In Louisiana we smile and patiently understand and see if we can help. Acutally, it has made me a much nicer person!! In Louisiana-no hurry, no pressure!

[marcel]

I was in La last year and think the highways are great. Try Illinois if you want to see bad highways, constant construction, and have your car torn up. It is all what you are used to.

[notacoonass]

Originally Posted by DAVID_S

Can someone please explain what the problem is with the highways in Louisiana. Twice a year, we travel through Louisiana, stopping on the way to see friends in Baton Rouge, and on the way back in the Shreveport area. I have never seen interstate highways in such a constant state of disrepair/construction. Driving down I-10 it feels like our vehicle is getting destroyed. We even see the same road construction signs up in the same place, year after year. Don't mean to criticize LA, just wondering what is going on???

I fully concur. The highways here are the WORST I've ever experienced, especially I-10 in Calcasieu parish. If you didn't need an alignment before, you will need one after driving that 44 miles. It's a complete joke. I heard a radio advertisement endorsing a local 1 cent tax for rodes while "Baton Rough and Washington got their act together". Excuse me? It seems all the other states are surviving in the highway dept. What's LA's excuse other than its crooked politicians?

[geaux]

I am supprised to see that no one has mentioned the fact that the "ground" that all of southern Louisiana (anything south of lake Ponch.) is on constantly shifting and sinking ground. Bear in mind also that it is too expensive to put pilings in every mile of I-10 or I-12 for a smooth ride. This is why the roads are so bad.

[a40oz2free]

half the state is a swamp and louisiana's always been broke. that's why the highways fall apart quickly and then it takes so long to fix them.

[hdwell]

Originally Posted by a40oz2free

half the state is a swamp and louisiana's always been broke. that's why the highways fall apart quickly and then it takes so long to fix them.

Louisiana's not broke. A. Its got too much unnecessary government and B. The highway contractors get ripped off by the state government. After all the fees the contractors must pay there is not enough left to pay them by the state except for cheap shoddy job. That is, you get what you pay for.

[lululed]

Originally Posted by marcel

I was in La last year and think the highways are great. Try Illinois if you want to see bad highways, constant construction, and have your car torn up. It is all what you are used to.

All I can say is "WOW".

[TraciK]

Ha,ha I know what you mean. When we are traveling we can always tell when we hit La from the roads. What the other posters said about the weather and the ground sifting makes sense.

If I'm not mistaking that was suppose to be one of the big benefits for the casino boats was for the taxes for the roads?

[blakeb99]

the roads in LA are terrible. we have a bridge in our city that has been in construction for over 5 years now. it's like they work at the pace of a turtle...just get the damn thing done! you know they got people begging for jobs and the gov't sucking up our tax dollars so why not get all the bump, crappy ass roads fixed?