7/7/06-Gov. Kathleen Blanco signed a bill into law June 29 to prohibit highway work requiring the closure of at least one lane of traffic from being done during rush hours.
The new law, previously HB1173, forbids highway construction and maintenance during the peak drive hours of 7 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. weekdays.
Previously, Louisiana law specified that major roadwork be done at night, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., or during other “non-peak” traffic hours, such as weekends.
Projects can be exempted from the rule if traffic studies determine that non-peak work hours cause “(undue) hardship or significant delay” to drivers.
The new law requires the removal of all barricades, equipment and workers during the specified peak drive times. It also requires state contracts to contain language prohibiting contractors from working at those times.

6/19/06-The Legislature has approved a bill that would prohibit highway work requiring the closure of at least one lane of traffic from being done during rush hours.
The House voted 91-4 Sunday, June 18, to send the bill to Gov. Kathleen Blanco’s desk for her signature. The Senate unanimously approved the bill June 16.
Sponsored by Rep. A.G. Crowe, R-Slidell, HB1173 would forbid highway construction and maintenance during the peak drive hours of 7 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. weekdays.
Existing Louisiana law specifies that major roadwork be done at night, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., or during other “non-peak” traffic hours, such as weekends.
Projects can be exempted from the rule if traffic studies determine that non-peak work hours cause “undo hardship or significant delay” to drivers.
HB1173 would require the removal of all barricades, equipment and workers during the specified peak drive times. It also would require state contracts to contain language prohibiting contractors from working at those times.
For bill status, call (225) 342-2456. In Louisiana, call 1-800-256-3793.

6/1/06-The Senate Transportation, Highways and Public Works Committee voted May 31 to approve a bill that would prohibit highway work requiring the closure of at least one lane of traffic from being done during rush hours.
The bill has been sent to the full Senate for consideration. If approved there, the bill would head to Gov. Kathleen Blanco’s desk for her signature. The House already approved it.
Sponsored by Rep. A.G. Crowe, R-Slidell, HB1173 would forbid highway construction and maintenance during the peak drive hours of 7 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. weekdays.
Existing Louisiana law specifies that major roadwork be done at night, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., or during other “non-peak” traffic hours, such as weekends.
Projects can be exempted from the rule if traffic studies determine that non-peak work hours cause “undo hardship or significant delay” to drivers.
The bill would require the removal of all barricades, equipment and workers during the specified peak drive times. It also would require state contracts to contain language prohibiting contractors from working at those times.
For bill status, call (225) 342-2456. In Louisiana, call 1-800-256-3793.

5/18/06-The House unanimously approved a bill that would prohibit highway work requiring the closure of at least one lane of traffic from being done during rush hours. It has been sent to the Senate for further consideration.
Sponsored by Rep. A.G. Crowe, R-Slidell, HB1173 would forbid highway construction and maintenance during the peak drive hours of 7 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m.
Existing Louisiana law specifies that major roadwork be done at night, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., or during other “non-peak” traffic hours, such as weekends.
Projects can be exempted from the rule if traffic studies determine that non-peak work hours cause “undo hardship or significant delay” to drivers.
The bill would require the removal of all barricades, equipment and workers during the specified peak drive times. It also would require state contracts to contain language prohibiting contractors from working at those times.
The bill is in the Senate Transportation, Highways and Public Works Committee.
For bill status, call (225) 342-2456. In Louisiana, call 1-800-256-3793.

5/3/06-The House Transportation, Highways and Public Works Committee unanimously passed a bill May 2 that would prohibit highway work requiring the closure of at least one lane of traffic from being done during rush hour. The bill now heads to the House floor for consideration.
Sponsored by Rep. A.G. Crowe, R-Slidell, HB1173 forbid highway construction and maintenance during the peak drive hours of 7 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m.
Existing Louisiana law specifies that major roadwork be done at night between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. or during other “non-peak” traffic hours, such as weekends.
Projects can be exempted from the rule if traffic studies determine that non-peak work hours cause “undo hardship or significant delay” to drivers.
The bill would require the removal of all barricades, equipment and workers during the specified peak drive times. It also would require state contracts to contain language prohibiting contractors from working at those times.
The transportation panel removed a provision from the bill that called for violators to face a 5 percent loss of the contract amount for each day they are in violation. Instead, present law was reinstated to provide for the loss of incentives for performing peak-hour work.
For bill status, call (225) 342-2456. In Louisiana, call 1-800-256-3793.

4/19/06-A bill in the House Transportation, Highways and Public Works Committee would prohibit highway work requiring the closure of at least one lane of traffic from being done during rush hours.
Sponsored by Rep. A.G. Crowe, R-Slidell, HB1173 would forbid highway construction and maintenance during the peak drive hours of 7 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m.
Existing Louisiana law specifies that major roadwork be done at night between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. or during other “non-peak” traffic hours, such as weekends. Projects can be exempted from the rule if traffic studies determine that non-peak work hours cause “undo hardship or significant delay” to drivers.
The bill would require the removal of all barricades, equipment and workers during the specified peak drive times.
It also would require state contracts to contain language prohibiting contractors from working at those times. Violators would face a 5 percent loss of the contract amount for each day they are in violation.
For bill status, call (225) 342-2456. In Louisiana, call 1-800-256-3793.