For Immediate Release, Monday, November 6, 2006

Study Underway to Widen & Beautify US Highway 11

            Parish President Kevin Davis announced today that the Regional Planning Commission, of which Davis is chair, awarded a contract to Krebs, LaSalle, Lemieux Consultants, Inc., to develop a plan for both widening and beautifying U.S. Highway 11 south of Salmen Drive. 

            “Highway 11 is the main corridor for a vital and beautiful area of St. Tammany that was devastated by Hurricane Katrina,” said Davis.  “We need to not only restore the area, but also to envision it as an even more vibrant corridor filled with residents, restaurants and small businesses.  It is the backbone of the North Shore Beach/Eden Isles communities, and can be enhanced for the benefit of area residents.” 

            US Highway 11 is also a main entry point into St. Tammany Parish from the south.  “I envision a boulevard with indigenous plants in the middle,” continued Davis.  “I see a four-lane road with beautiful plants that reflect the beauty of the neighborhood and provide an appropriate gateway to St. Tammany.” 

            The Regional Planning Commission awarded the contract on Sept. 16, and work recently began on a study to evaluate the feasibility of widening and enhancing the thoroughfare.  The scope of the contract will include an evaluation of the possibility of widening the highway from its current two lanes to four or five lanes, better accommodating increased traffic volume, increasing regional mobility, and anticipating for future needs.   

            The first phase of the contract will involve a study of Hwy. 11 from Lake Pontchartrain northward to Salmen Drive.  The second phase will include a study of Hwy. 11 from Gause Boulevard northward to Brown’s Village Road. 

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