Baton Rouge mayor, program team kick off MOVEBR program

Updated: Sep. 23, 2019 at 4:21 PM CDT
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BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome and the MOVEBR team have officially kicked off the MOVEBR Transportation and Infrastructure Improvements Program.

The kickoff launches the program’s website, which takes a look at more than 70 projects that will build new sidewalks and roads, as well as make improvements to existing infrastructure.

“This program will address long overdue congestion issues throughout our city-parish while making our streets safer and more pedestrian friendly. We are building for the future to ensure our local economy stays strong and all residents have quality of life,” said Mayor Broome.

The MOVEBR Infrastructure Enhancement and Traffic Mitigation Plan is the transportation infrastructure investment plan in East Baton Rouge Parish. City leaders say the plan aims to relieve traffic congestion in Baton Rouge, Baker, Zachary, and Central.

Residents can expect to see the following things as the program moves forward:

  • A new website: Launched Monday, Sept. 23, movebr.brla.gov, allows residents to sign up to receive updates, follow the progress of the program and link to updated information on social media. MOVEBR program information will be shared on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram using the handle @movebrla. The website will develop into the primary resource for program information, with project maps linked to the city-parish GIS platform and a tracker to view the status of projects.
  • Project prioritization: Following meetings with stakeholders that began in late August, project prioritization will be announced in mid-October.
  • Small business outreach: Local small business owners, including minority, women, and veteran-owned businesses, will be provided information on opportunities to conduct business with the MOVEBR program. The first MOVEBR Small Business Outreach Workshop will be held Oct. 3 at Delmont Gardens Library from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
  • Complete streets coordination: Working with stakeholder groups that advocate for green infrastructure, ADA compliance, and greater mobility, the MOVEBR team is establishing guidelines and standards for projects to incorporate best practices.

The half-cent sales tax proposition was approved by the voters Dec. 8, 2018. The tax became effective April 1, 2019, and will continue for 30 years, until March 31, 2049, raising around $1 billion.

The tax will not apply to groceries or prescription drug purchases made in East Baton Rouge Parish.

The plan will fund nearly 70 projects in the capital region.

Two consulting firms have been selected to manage the projects. CSRS will tackle about $800 million in capacity projects while Stantec will take on nearly $300 million in cosmetic changes.

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