J-turns planned on U.S. 90

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development has been busy in St. Mary Parish.
Crews currently are surveying the stretch between the Wax Lake Outlet and the U.S. 90 bridge in Berwick in connection with a proposed project to install J-turns along a 9-mile section of U.S. 90 in St. Mary Parish.
“The J-turn design will safely and efficiently manage traffic and eliminate left-turn and through movements from side roads and driveways into crossovers,” Deidre Druilhet, state Department of Transportation spokeswoman, said.
All vehicles will be required to turn right and then U-turn at a median opening down the road.
Druilhet said the estimated cost of the project is $2.5 to $5 million.
Because the proposed project is in the initial survey process, Druilhet said it is too early to determine a construction schedule or the number of J-turns being considered.
As for previous projects in eastern St. Mary, Druilhet said a traffic control has been installed on La. 182 in Berwick at Cameron.
The flashing beacon with reduced speed limits sign works similar to school zone devices. When the beacons are flashing, the reduced speed limits will be in effect, Druilhet said.
During the last legislative session, Rep. Sam Jones, D-Franklin, pushed through legislation to put a traffic control signal where hundreds of people enter and exit the company’s parking.
Also in Berwick, a traffic light at Tournament Boulevard and La. 182 — requested in March by Berwick High School student Hannah Roy and supported by the town — was turned down by the department.
Druilhet said a traffic study conducted in the area did not support a traffic signal.