LA using MS

[the truth]

In the context of the Bottle Neck from 59 traffic caused in HBURG and other pine belt towns during the pre-Katrina evacuation, why cant LA build its own highway in a northerly direction up the center of its own state to use as an evacuation route? They have as much land, more people, more tax revenue, and just as much know how. Why does the major component of a southern LA evacuation plan depend upon running through MS, to Jackson and Meridian, which places considerable strain and pressures on MS charities, gas supply, food supply, lodging availability and other resources.

[SoMissTV]

Cause it's using a highway paid for with federal funds.

[Bahlk]

why cant LA build its own highway in a northerly direction up the center of its own state to use as an evacuation route?

There is, Interstate 49, runs from Interstate 10 in Lafayette, up northwest to Shreveport

[the truth]

What keeps LA from getting "federal funds" for north-south highways in its own state, in a location convenient for its tax-paying citizens.

[Tully Mars]

As the image below illustrates, two out of three primary north-south interstate routes in Louisiana route through Mississippi. The contraflow plan calls attempts to use routes that will get people out of harm's way by the most efficient route. For New Orleans, those routes happen to be I-55 and I-59. Access from New Orleans through Baton Rouge to get to I-49 is a nightmare on a good day, I certainly would not want to attempt it in an effort to evacuate.

Is a few days worth of local gridlock too much to ask to get people safely out of harm's way? The contraflow plan is certainly not perfect but its the best plan available right now.

http://www.tripinfo.com/maps/LA.gif

[Kitty]

On the image Tully provided, you will see Louisiana Highway 25, which runs from Covington north to Franklinton.

There are ongoing discussions regarding four-laning 25 north to the Mississippi state line, where it becomes Mississippi Highway 27, which runs through Walthall County/Tylertown north to Monticello, then through west central Mississippi.

Another point to consider about local gridlock resulting from evacuees--many of these people spend money in our Mississippi communities--they eat in our restaurants, stay in our hotels, buy gasoline and emergency items--in other words, they contribute to our local economy.

[Bahlk]

Thank you kitty...I was thinking these evacuees stop to eat in our restaurants, buy gas here, rent motel rooms etc

[the truth]

Tully, clear it up for me please, who maintains I-59, is it the MDOT or some federal agency? I have spoken to several elderly residents since Katrina who live near Poplarville, whose normal route would be to travel 59 less than ten miles to get gas, but who could not gain access to the interstate to gather additional emergency supplies because of I-59 being used for an LA emergency evac route.

The evac plan is short sighted and assumes that (a) there are adequate resources in MS for MS plus the travelers; (b) that any MS inconvenience or strain on resources will be short in duration; (c) that there will be electrical power to support gas stations, restaurants, hotels;(d) that the evacuation will begin early enough and a majority of those evacuating will have enough fuel, strength, and distance to travel a far enough distance so as not to create an unreasonable strain on those counties farther south; (e) that the evacuees will use the provided resources wisely and (f) that evacuees will be able to return and the influx will be short-lived. Any other assumptions means someone in MS will have to do without.

From a planning standpoint, it seems that LA addresses its population needs every day, each parish can communicate with each neighboring parish to broker alliances in the event of catastrophe, and LA could begin construction of primary evacuation routes with six, eight or ten lanes that are within the state of LA to address its citizens needs. We all should have learned that the effect of the emergency is first felt and addressed locally, not nationally. I can look to the future and use my extra storage space to keep extra water, gas, food for myself, my family, my neighbor, and maybe his neighbor in the event they are caught unprepared. My county or city government and even local businesses (groceries, filling stations, pharmacies, hospitales) can and are motivated to establish protocols to address the needs of its residents. In the aftermath of Katrina and with the threat of additional hurricanes or terrorist actions, how can anyone seriously argue that the federal evac route should be the one relied upon as the first resort. Maybe as a last resort, after each state has taken sufficient, long reaching, precautions for its own citizens. I didnt notice anyone from the FBI out directing traffic on I-59 or moving wrecked cars, or towing cars without fuel, within a week of Katrina--it was the local law enforcement, the local doctors, the local merchants that were addressing needs. THE TRUTH

[selmore]

When you are running "from" something you want get out of its way.

Don't you remember the movie "Inlaws" with Peter Falk and ___? Serpentine, Serpentine!

Also, they can build whatever they want, but when the big one comes, most will sit on their arses waiting on the goverment.

[Tully Mars]

Tully, clear it up for me please, who maintains I-59, is it the MDOT or some federal agency?

The evac plan is short sighted and assumes that (a) there are adequate resources in MS for MS plus the travelers; (b) that any MS inconvenience or strain on resources will be short in duration; (c) that there will be electrical power to support gas stations, restaurants, hotels;(d) that the evacuation will begin early enough and a majority of those evacuating will have enough fuel, strength, and distance to travel a far enough distance so as not to create an unreasonable strain on those counties farther south; (e) that the evacuees will use the provided resources wisely and (f) that evacuees will be able to return and the influx will be short-lived. Any other assumptions means someone in MS will have to do without.

From a planning standpoint, it seems that LA addresses its population needs every day, each parish can communicate with each neighboring parish to broker alliances in the event of catastrophe, and LA could begin construction of primary evacuation routes with six, eight or ten lanes that are within the state of LA to address its citizens needs. We all should have learned that the effect of the emergency is first felt and addressed locally, not nationally. I can look to the future and use my extra storage space to keep extra water, gas, food for myself, my family, my neighbor, and maybe his neighbor in the event they are caught unprepared. My county or city government and even local businesses (groceries, filling stations, pharmacies, hospitales) can and are motivated to establish protocols to address the needs of its residents. In the aftermath of Katrina and with the threat of additional hurricanes or terrorist actions, how can anyone seriously argue that the federal evac route should be the one relied upon as the first resort. Maybe as a last resort, after each state has taken sufficient, long reaching, precautions for its own citizens. I didnt notice anyone from the FBI out directing traffic on I-59 or moving wrecked cars, or towing cars without fuel, within a week of Katrina--it was the local law enforcement, the local doctors, the local merchants that were addressing needs. THE TRUTH


Very good points and I would be the first to agree that the current plan is short sighted and fails to consider several variables. As for the maintenance of the interstate system, it is my understanding that each state is responsible for maintenance of segments that are within their respective states but receive considerable financial support from the Federal Highway Administration.

I am not arguing over the feasibility or even the possiblity of LA building their own evac route. I am simply saying that what exists right now is what exists. MS has done an admirable job over the last twenty years in building a highway system that will allow for travel both east to west and north to south on a pretty good four lane system. Unfortunately, our neighbors to the east and west have not kept pace (a prime example is the 11 or so miles of 98 between the state line and Mobile).

Other details not considered in the plan include access along the interstate for emergency vehicles, inadequacy of available shelter space in the Pine Belt Region, and availability of public safety manpower to adequately resource a full-scale evacuation. Again, the plan is certainly not perfect but it is what it is.

[yeoyeo78]

As the image below illustrates, two out of three primary north-south interstate routes in Louisiana route through Mississippi. The contraflow plan calls attempts to use routes that will get people out of harm's way by the most efficient route. For New Orleans, those routes happen to be I-55 and I-59. Access from New Orleans through Baton Rouge to get to I-49 is a nightmare on a good day, I certainly would not want to attempt it in an effort to evacuate.

Is a few days worth of local gridlock too much to ask to get people safely out of harm's way? The contraflow plan is certainly not perfect but its the best plan available right now.

http://www.tripinfo.com/maps/LA.gif

They are currently extending I-49 south of Lafayette, through the coastal areas and up to the south side/west bank of New Orleans. In other words, 90 from Lafayette to New Orleans is being upgraded to Interstate status and being made into part of I-49.

[SoMissTV]

I am simply saying that what exists right now is what exists. MS has done an admirable job over the last twenty years in building a highway system that will allow for travel both east to west and north to south on a pretty good four lane system. Unfortunately, our neighbors to the east and west have not kept pace (a prime example is the 11 or so miles of 98 between the state line and Mobile).

In their defense, ALDOT's been trying to do this project for years. Environmental groups in Mobile and the Mobile Water System had fought and fought regarding the route of the four lane connector. Fortunately, phase I of the 98 connector has been put out to bid. The road should be finished by 2011, and will connect to the I-165 interchange. Should make the trip a lot faster.

I wouldn't say Mississippi is on top of things, either. The ten mile stretch of Hwy 45 between Crawford and Starkville is just now being finished, and it was a part of the 1987 highway program.

[yeoyeo78]

With the proposed I-14 going through Laurel and Collins and the proposed Gulfport to Jackson interstate, a bypass around Hattiesburg will eventually be needed to get people around the hub city faster when a major hurricane comes. Ideally, this Interstate bypass would probably start at Hwy 49 on the south side of town, cross I-59 and Hwy 98 on the west side of town (since Camp Shelby is on the other side of 49), cross 49 on the north side of town and finally dump into I-59 between Hattiesburg and Laurel. The downside is that such a bypass would put extend the burden to communities like Sumrall while giving Hattiesburg a little relief.

About the only benefit a bypass would have is to move people around the Hattiesburg area faster when the coast and new orleans evacuates.

[daisy]

Just looking at the map Tully graciously provided for us, if I lived in new Orleans and wanted to get north quickly I would go up 59 North. The other choice would beto get I-10 and go east and spend a lot of time going almost parallel to the ocean I am fleeing from. I think not. I could use the same amt. of time and be moving north on I-59.


I think we are all one nation and band together during hardships and disasters.