A new access highway is being built between La. 1088 just south of its Interstate 12 intersection all the way down to Pelican Park. The road then goes around the east side of the park and heads southward to U.S. 190. Pelican Park has expanded its facilities greatly in the past decade, now offering a wide selection of both athletic and non-sporting events, so better access will be provided as a result. It is the largest roadway project in St. Tammany Parish history according to officials.
Parish President Mike Cooper broke ground on the three and a half mile long $34 million LA 1088-US 190 Bypass Road project several months ago, saying that the new road will increase safety and reduce traffic for thousands of motorists in St. Tammany Parish. The access road will also include a ten-foot wide sidewalk that can be used for jogging.
Here is a recent photo of the work underway where the new highway ties into La. 1088.
At La. 1088 there is a construction office and a number of large drainage pipes that will be installed to cross a waterway along the route.
Here's an aerial view of the path of the new road.
Click on the images to make them larger.
Construction of the connector road is expected
to be completed within two years.
The divided highway artist rendering
The groundbreaking for the new road
(St. Tammany Parish Govt. Photo)
The name of the new road was voted on by the public. It will be called the Adrien Rouquette Parkway, named after the legendary Father Rouquette. He was a Catholic missionary to the Choctaw Native American tribe in the mid-1800's. They called him Chahta-Ima.
The roadway will feature entrances to Pelican Park, a multiuse pedestrian path connecting to the Tammany Trace and provide easier access to Fontainebleau State Park and the Safe Haven campus.
“This new roadway delivers on my administration’s commitment to providing real traffic solutions to our citizens," Cooper said. "Our Parish needs new roads to ease traffic and boost safety, not just repaving existing roads."
A view of the ten foot wide pedestrian walkway and the concrete curbing that was recently poured
The new roadway provides relief and an alternate route for motorists using LA 1088, LA 59 and U.S. 190, as well as other roadways. Traffic studies forecast that more than 3,500 vehicles will use the road daily, with peak daily trips totaling more than 14,200 from Pelican Park visitors.
“I have long advocated for this bypass road to be prioritized, as it was one of my top priorities while campaigning for my Council seat,” said Council Chairman Joe Impastato, who represents the area.
Meanwhile at the southern end of the new road, it parallels the existing Pelican Park Entrance Road. Major clearing and some debris removal has already been done...
The Pelican Park entrance road can be seen on the right.
Pelican Park Map showing sports fields and buildings
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