St. Tammany News

MANDEVILLE - With traffic congestion on the Northshore Causeway Approach, the Greater New Orleans Expressway Commission's newest project is to improve the Louisiana Highway 22 and West Causeway Approach in Mandeville.

Robert Lambert, GNOEC general manager, said the commission has been receiving complaints and concerns about traffic backing up at the merge on La. 22 and West Causeway Approach going toward Madisonville, which goes from two lanes to one lane with little warning. Some cars are opting to go across the neutral ground, Lambert said, and residents are complaining.

The long-term project would re-stripe the road into two eastbound lanes and utilize the turning lane, Lambert said.

The new two lanes toward Madisonville would lead up to Beau Chene subdivision and go back to one lane.

"We want to re-stripe the shoulder, and we may lay some asphalt," Lambert said. "This will give better ability for people going east. Traffic is beginning to back up, and this project would get traffic off West Causeway Approach at Highway 22."

There have been no major updates on the Florida Street U-turn and merge lane from Florida Street to Brookside, Lambert said.

The commission will begin receiving bids on the U-turn and merge lane projects on Jan. 26.

Lambert projects the U-turn will be complete by March and the merge lane thereafter.

Sen. Julie Quinn attended the January meeting, and Lambert said she was pleased with the commission's plans to help relieve post-Hurricane Katrina traffic problems.

"She is keenly interested in Causeway matters and wants to be kept up to date on projects," Lambert said. "Quinn was interested in the Highway 22 and West Causeway Approach project and wants it to move as quickly as it can. She was most pleased with our proactive plans. She plays a big role and is helpful to us."