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Committee approves bill urging local fixes for school‑related congestion in Shreveport neighborhoods
Summary
Lawmakers approved House Bill 620, asking the Caddo Parish School Board and DOTD to coordinate to reduce morning and afternoon congestion around two Shreveport schools. Witnesses described blocked driveways, emergency‑vehicle delays and repeated community complaints.
Representative Phelps presented House Bill 620 to establish procedures to reduce traffic congestion in neighborhoods near two schools in Shreveport. The bill directs the Caddo Parish School Board to adopt routing and drop‑off plans and invites the district office of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development to participate in traffic‑engineering discussions for any state highways bordering the schools.
Kent Rogers, executive director of the Northwest Louisiana Council of Governments, told the committee the neighborhoods affected have about 1,000 residents but see roughly “between 8,000 cars between certain hours of the drop off and pickup time frame.” He said vehicles block driveways and neighborhood streets and that police, fire and EMS vehicles sometimes struggle to get through. Residents and school officials have discussed various local remedies for years without durable solutions, Rogers said.
Representative Wiley and Representative Jackson both expressed support for local engagement and urged adding similar problem locations to the bill’s language if required. Representative Jackson moved to report HB 620 with amendments; the committee adopted an 8‑amendment set and voted to report the bill favorably. Committee members asked the author and local agencies to continue consultation with DOTD and the regional council to develop practical engineering and enforcement steps before the next school year.
Why it matters: the bill targets recurring safety and access problems at schools sited near state highways, asking local authorities to adopt routing and drop‑off arrangements and coordinate with DOTD on signal and corridor changes. Supporters described immediate safety and access problems for residents and emergency services.
Next steps: HB 620 was reported from committee with amendments; the author and local officials will continue to develop route options and traffic engineering measures for implementation before the next school year if possible.
