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Residents, council urge state enforcement after heavy detour traffic on Horseshoe Island Road
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Summary
Residents told the St. Tammany Parish infrastructure committee that state bridge work has turned Horseshoe Island Road into a dangerous detour route, with speeds reported up to 70 mph and mailboxes struck; council members agreed to pursue state trooper enforcement and prepare a resolution requesting temporary traffic controls.
Councilman Laughlin opened the meeting’s public-comment period with a personal-privilege item asking the parish to address severe traffic and safety problems on Horseshoe Island Road related to nearby state bridge construction. He said the parish road, normally handling a small daily volume, has seen a large uptick in traffic as vehicles detour around the state work and said law-enforcement resources are being taxed.
A resident, Laird Cross, told the committee, “We’ve got vehicles coming through there at 60 and 70 miles an hour,” and described a string of incidents including a gas truck that fell into a ditch and mailboxes struck by passing vehicles. Cross said residents now delay basic tasks such as retrieving mail because they fear for safety.
Other residents and speakers described narrow road geometry — “the road is just barely 14 feet wide at its widest point” — and said heavy trucks and 18-wheelers are using the route as a cut-through. Several speakers urged the parish to press the state Office of Highway Construction and the governor’s office for temporary measures such as posted state troopers, clearer signage, or a temporary bridge/detour where feasible.
Engineering staff told the committee that previously used modular speed tables are not in reusable condition and the department does not have ready temporary devices to deploy. Council members proposed drafting an off-the-floor resolution to request state action and increased enforcement; one council member said the council would aim to file such a resolution for the next meeting to get the issue on the state’s and public’s radar.
The committee agreed to look into options including targeted enforcement, clearer signage, and whether the parish should request a temporary bridge or other emergency traffic mitigation from state authorities. No formal vote or binding directive was recorded in the excerpt; committee members said staff would follow up and bring recommendations back to the council.
