On Greenwell Springs Road, a Vehicle Was In My Daughter’s Lane, Headed Toward Her

How Long Will We Ignore Our Deadly Roads In Central City?

by Lewis and Joyceline Claverie

CENTRAL — Central’s roads with their curves and open, tree-lined ditches offer death, injury, and destruction to our community.

Just recently our daughter and grandson were driving south on Greenwell Springs Road.  When they were approximately 1,000 feet from Wax Road, a white vehicle crossed the double line, and was headed straight towards them.

With a second to think, and in order to avoid a head-on collision, our daughter had no choice but to swerve to her right, landing in a no-shouldered ditch lined with trees.  There was no other out for her.  The term “drive safely” means nothing if “safe drivers” have nowhere to go.  The careless driver did not stop, but the second driver behind him, along with a resident in his front yard, who both witnessed the accident, helped our family from their car.  We profusely thank these men!  Our family was lucky this time as lives and injuries were spared, although the car was totaled.

Once again, one of Central’s roads and a careless driver are responsible for a serious problem that exists.  Death, injury, and property destruction are occurring too often because of our sub-standard roads with no shoulders and steep, tree-lined ditches, giving defensive drivers no escape.

Approximately 10 years or so ago, surveying was being done, and as residents of Greenwell Springs Road we were advised that Greenwell Springs Road from Sullivan Road to Magnolia Bridge Road was to be four-laned.  From Magnolia Bridge Road to Indian Mound, the road was to be straightened (curves removed) installing drive-thru or “swailed” ditches on both sides of the road.  This would have entailed taking some property from residents.  However, it would have been a definite improvement for public safety.

Then, some time later when seeing the current over-laying of asphalt beginning on Greenwell Springs Road, we called Rep. Richardson and asked why Greenwell Springs Road was not being four-laned.  He had no knowledge of the proposed four-laning, but stated that others had asked the same question.  Granted, the smooth asphalt over-lay is nice, but has it improved safety from the open ditches?  One ditch—and maybe more—by-passed very frequently by motorists has at least a six foot drop-off.  Let’s pray none of us ever encounters that one!

Now, more recently we were talking with an engineer from DOTD who was familiar with this project.  It came down to at that time the State had the money appropriated, but the first responsibility for drainage and sewerage fell upon the City of Central and East Baton Rouge Parish who did not have the needed funds for the project.  So once again, he said…she said…they do…they don’t…and all the while death and injury continue on Central’s roads.

Why are we urging people to come live the good life in Central when we have these horrible, sub-standard roads to offer them?  How many deaths, injuries, and demolitions will it take to get leadership from our leaders?  Do we have leaders?  Is there an attorney out there to start a class action on behalf of victims?

Think about this serious situation; let your voices be heard; call the politicians; make a fuss—because the next death, injury, or demolition could be yours or you family’s!

HHH

Do you have stories about Central’s roads?  Send them to centralcitynews@hotmail.com