Letters: Louisiana roads termed deplorable
I am writing this letter to draw attention to the deplorable conditions of the roads in Louisiana. The most traveled route that I have used is I-10 going west into Texas. My husband and I are retired and travel in our RV as well as our car.
I don’t know what plans have been made or will be made to repair I-10 from Exit 116 just as you cross the bridge to Exit 104 going to Lafayette. I have not seen any work done on this stretch of road since I have been traversing it for approximately eight years. It is getting increasingly rougher and what I consider dangerous to drive this stretch of road. Not only so rough (especially on RVs and trucks), but extremely embarrassing to know that not only the citizens of Louisiana have to use it but also the tourists who come to our state. Our state depends on tourism for a substantial amount of our income and if you have roads so undesirable to drive on, might that not affect the amount of money that tourist spends that we have come to depend upon?
We have a reputation for the worst roads, as evidenced by a truckers survey and other publications I have read. Is this really how we want people to be introduced to the state of Louisiana?
My husband and I can tell immediately whenever we cross over the state line because of the condition of the pavement. In our travels we talk to people from other states, and once they are aware that we live in Louisiana, they almost always comment on the poor condition of Louisiana roads. I-10 is especially bad since this road is the first introduction many people have to our state.
I think this is of the utmost importance concerning the safety of those who travel our roads especially on a regular basis. I am sure I am not alone in this observation. Surely our safety and the safety of all drivers rise to the level that merits the attention of our elected officials including Gov. Bobby Jindal. Perhaps by my writing this letter and your publishing it, I have succeeded in doing just that.
Sandra Williams
retired administrative assistant
Baker