Restoring Plank Road: A Major Milestone in the Revitalization of North Baton Rouge

Baton Rouge, LA - September 18, 2024 - Today, Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome celebrated the groundbreaking of the "Restoring Plank Road" initiative, a transformative effort to breathe new life into one of the city's most historic and vital corridors. The Plank Road revitalization project will repave the entire 5.3-mile stretch from I-110 to Airline Highway in North Baton Rouge. In addition to new pavement, the project will bring much-needed upgrades, including the installation of new sidewalks and curbs, ADA-compliant intersections, and enhanced lighting and signals to ensure safety and accessibility for pedestrians and drivers alike.

"Plank Road has long played an essential role in the growth of Baton Rouge. For many years, this area has needed revitalization, and today marks a significant step toward delivering on a promise to restore this corridor and make it safer, more accessible, and a place of opportunity for the entire community," said Mayor Broome.

The "Restoring Plank Road" initiative is part of the larger MOVEBR Bus Rapid Transit Project (BRT), one of 60 MOVEBR projects completed or currently underway in North Baton Rouge. The BRT Project is designed to modernize public transportation and enhance connectivity from North Baton Rouge to Mid City, Downtown, and LSU. Upcoming phases will include the restoration of Florida Boulevard from N. 4^th St. to N. 22^nd St., and the construction of elevated bus stops along the public transit route.

The restoration of Plank Road is set to begin in October and constitutes the largest portion of the BRT Project. The overall timeline of the entire BRT Project will be 20 months with a total budget of approximately $46 million.

Key partners in the BRT Project are CATS, Build Baton Rouge, DOTD, and the Federal Transit Administration.