LAFAYETTE, La. (KPEL News) - In Lafayette, we have our needs when it comes to traffic fixes. And, our Lafayette Consolidated Government's Traffic Department has been hard at work improving roadways and bridges across the parish with projects involving such heavily-traveled roads such as Ambassador Caffery Parkway, Dulles Drive, Johnston Street, Kaliste Saloom Road, Pinhook Road, and others.

There are also intersections that are in need of upgrades, whether they be roundabouts or traffic signals.

One of these intersections is one I've been sounding the alarm about since February 2022 - E. Broussard Road at Robley Drive Extension. Currently, this is one of the most dangerous intersections in Lafayette. It sits on the line dividing the City of Lafayette and the unincorporated parts of the parish.

E. Broussard Road at Robley Drive Extension, google street view
E. Broussard Road at Robley Drive Extension, google street view
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As someone who used to live in one of the neighborhoods off of the Robley Drive Extension, it is a nightmare trying to make a left turn from Robley onto E. Broussard.

Well, the dangerousness of that intersection was on display again on Thursday morning as another crash happened early in the morning.

People on Facebook gave their feedback as news spread of the crash.

They need a roundabout at this intersection. One of the worse in the parish.
They need to put stop signs or a light till they decide if they will put round a bout. There was an accident in same place yesterday.

E. Broussard Road has benefited from the construction on Kaliste Saloom as the two now share a super roundabout that has helped improve the flow of traffic in the area. E. Broussard sits between two major roadways in Johnston Street and Kaliste Saloom.

Kaliste Saloom Road/E. Broussard Road Roundabout, google street view
Kaliste Saloom Road/E. Broussard Road Roundabout, google street view
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That - combined with the fact that there are many neighborhoods built off the Robley Drive extension that goes all the way into Vermilion Parish - lends itself to lots of traffic passing through that intersection. Workers put in a left turning lane on Robley. That helped but it didn't solve the problem. Drivers coming off of Robley being forced to wait long amounts of time as the traffic passing between Johnston and Kaliste Saloom goes whizzing by. Often, it makes for a very stressful situation as the traffic on Robley - and E. Broussard - tends to build up during peak traffic times and drivers begin honking their horns trying to rush other drivers onto E. Broussard so they aren't waiting for an unnecessarily long time.

E. Broussard at Robley Extension, google maps
E. Broussard at Robley Extension, google maps
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Well, this intersection is finally getting a roundabout - and construction is scheduled for this year, 2023!

Warren Abadie, Traffic Director with Lafayette Consolidated Government, made the announcement on "Acadiana's Morning News" near the beginning of the year as he helped fill in for Lafayette Mayor-President Josh Guillory on "Lafayette Live" on KPEL.

At the time, he also revealed that intersection - along with two others in Lafayette Parish - were scheduled to get roundabouts in 2023. Last month, in preparation for one of the "Lafayette Live" segments, we learned the other two roundabouts are anticipated for 2024

W. Broussard Road at Duhon Road

W. Broussard Rd. at Duhon Road, google maps
W. Broussard Rd. at Duhon Road, google maps
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This is an intersection that jams up very easily. As someone who has driven through this intersection many times, the 4-way stop is just simply not enough to accommodate the traffic flowing through this area anymore.

W. Broussard Rd. at Duhon Road, google street view
W. Broussard Rd. at Duhon Road, google street view
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When traffic jams up on Johnston Street, many drivers look to this area as a detour and a roundabout would certainly help not only the flow of traffic but the safety of it as well.

Duhon Road at Rue Du Belier

Rue du Belier at Duhon Road, google maps
Rue du Belier at Duhon Road, google maps
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Last, but not least, the third roundabout scheduled for Lafayette is at this intersection - Duhon Road at Rue Du Belier. It's just down the road from Duhon Road's intersection with W. Broussard Road and is also an area that is in need of better traffic flow.

Rue du Belier at Duhon Road, google street view
Rue du Belier at Duhon Road, google street view
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Trying to make a left turn from Rue Du Belier on to Duhon Road is very difficult and can be unnecessarily time-consuming.

New Roundabout to Connect Youngsville and Broussard

Speaking of roundabouts, a new two-lane roundabout is being constructed at the intersection of the Youngsville Highway (LA-89) and Fortune Road in Youngsville. Then, a new roadway will be built off of that new roundabout, connecting it to the roundabout already built at the intersection of Fairfield Road and S. Bernard Road in Broussard.

(Current map of the area including the intersection of the Youngsville Highway (LA-89) and Fortune Road & the roundabout at Fairfield Road and S. Bernard Road)

google maps
current map of the area, google maps
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Below you can see the rendering of what the project will look like when it's completed.

Broussard/Youngsville Connector, Facebook via Mayor Ken Ritter
Broussard/Youngsville Connector, Facebook via Mayor Ken Ritter
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Also, two existing roundabouts - the roundabout that connects Chemin Metairie and Guillot Road and the roundabout that connects Chemin Metarie and Milton Avenue - will be getting redesigned with additional lanes added to support the increased traffic in the area.

Chemin Metairie and Guillot Road Roundabout, google street view
Chemin Metairie and Guillot Road Roundabout, google street view
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Roudabout near Rouses, google street view
Roudabout near Rouses, google street view
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Also, in the interview with Traffic Director Abadie, he discusses other traffic issues he deals with in Lafayette.

 

Whether you love them or hate them, more roundabouts are coming to Lafayette Parish.

Lafayette Intersections That Need a Roundabout

If Lafayette Streets Could Talk This Is What They'd Say To You

Remember the Hilarious Memes Following SUV Crash Into Youngsville Sports Complex Sign