Ask the Advocate for Dec. 10, 2012

Advocate file photo by BILL FEIG -- Traffic backs up on Coursey Boulevard at Stumberg Lane in April, 2010. Although plans show that Stumberg Lane is to be extended across Coursey to South Harrell's Ferry Road, the extension remains unfunded.

Since Stumberg Lane is being extended south to join Pecue Lane at Airline Highway, is there any plan to extend Stumberg north from Coursey Boulevard to South Harrell’s Ferry or Millerville roads?

Response from Bryan Harmon, deputy director, East Baton Rouge city-parish Department of Public Works:

An extension northward to South Harrell’s Ferry Road is indicated on the major street plan but, as with dozens of other projects, it is unfunded. The practicality of this project makes it a very expensive undertaking. Extending Stumberg due north as indicated would run the road right through the middle of the Episcopal High School campus which is not practical. This would then require the road to snake to the west and then back east. It would have to cross Weiner Creek once and Jones Creek twice, and we would have to deal with both the environmental issues and the low land levels along this route. One of the crossings of Jones Creek would also occur at the intersection of Woodland Ridge Boulevard. To make this crossing and construct the intersection would require the acquisition of four to six homes before heading north to South Harrell’s Ferry Road.

Comments

1) Comment by Hello Baton Rouge - 10/12/2012

You will never see this happen in your lifetime. As much as it would really benefit the easement of traffic on Sherwood, don't look for it to ever unfold. Take a look on the map and see that it would literally cut right through Woodland Ridge subdivision. There's no easy way to run a 4 lane highway through an established neighborhood like W.R. without meeting a TON of resistance. This has been talked about for years.

2) Comment by albermarle52 - 10/12/2012

Once several projects in the area are completed, traffic will move much more smoothly. Jones Creek south of Coursey will be widened to 4 lanes (and extended to Old Jeff.), along with O'Neal and Millerville. The Central Thruway is nearing completion and the planning process for the further expansion of Old Hammond (from Blvd. de Province to O'Neal) is progressing well. The end result will be a four-lane corridor going from Hooper to Old Jefferson.