DOTD Takes Down Signs On Greenwell Springs Road

CENTRAL — Seven months ago, Central moms Gail Lloyd and Roxanne Atkinson began placing warning signs up and down Greenwell Springs, alerting drivers to the danger of speeding on the road where many have died in recent years.

Their signs seemed to be working, and Central Police Chief Doug Browning and Central Mayor Mac Watts said they fully supported the warning signs.

But apparently someone at the Louisiana Department of Transportation & Development didn’t like them, because last week DOTD crews pulled up all the signs.

Gail Lloyd was shocked.  “We have had nothing but support and encouragement for what we have been doing.”

Mrs. Lloyd and school board member Roxanne Atkinson placed signs on the stretch of Greenwell Springs Road between Sullivan Road and Liberty Road.

Central has experienced more than a dozen deaths on its narrow two-lane roads in recent years.  Ms. Lloyd said the fundamental problem is the roads are too narrow with no shoulders, combined with steep drop-offs and trees immediately past the ditch.

“There’s really no room for error on these roads,” she said.

When you combine the antiquated roads with speed or alcohol or both, it is a deadly combination, she said.

Mrs. Lloyd and Mrs. Atkinson maintain that the roads should be widened with shoulders to make sure that drivers have a better chance to avoid those who speed or make foolish mistakes.

Their signs had messages such as “Please Slow Down!” or “Dangerous Road Slow Down” or “Speeding on this Road Is Deadly.”

A public records request by the Central City News to the Department of Transportation & Development was promptly answered by legal counsel Brandon Brown.

He said his staff has so far found no records requesting or ordering the signs to be removed.  He promised to continue searching to see if any documents turn up.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Lloyd is puzzled.  A few of the signs were on the public right of way but most were on private property.

The moms had informed the City of Central and local legislators about the signs and received encouragement.

Greenwell Springs Road is a state highway, officially designated as La. Hwy. 37.  State legislators from the area have been working to get the road widened for years, but so far little has come of their efforts.  Meanwhile, the tragic fatalities have continued.

Mrs. Lloyd said there are only three speed limit signs along the entire length of Greenwell Springs Road from Sullivan to Liberty roads.  “Until they widen the road, the least we can do is try to inform drivers how dangerous this road is,” she said.

Gail Lloyd and her husband Jim paid for the signs themselves.  Now they are considering printing another batch and putting them up again.

Mrs. Lloyd urged local residents to call Sens. Dale Erdey and Bodi White and Reps. Valarie Hodges and Barry Ivey, and encourage them to get DOTD to widen Greenwell Springs Road, at least with shoulders.