I-12 ramp meters credited for fewer crashes, quicker travel

There have been 12% fewer crashes along the Interstate 12 corridor and travel times have improved by 17% since ramp meters were first installed in June 2010, says the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development. "Overall, we see a noticeable improvement," says DOTD Secretary Sherri H. LeBas. "We embraced this new traffic management system because building new roads or widening current roads is only one way to address the needs of the traveling public." Fourteen of the 16 ramp meters are in place. The last two—for I-12 eastbound on-ramps at O'Neal Lane in Baton Rouge and Range Avenue in Denham Springs—will be installed once nearby interstate widening projects are complete. The ramp meters are currently active on I-12 westbound between 6 and 10 a.m. for the morning commute, and on I-12 eastbound between 2 and 7 p.m. for the evening commute. The meters are also activated for special events or incidents that cause increases in traffic.