<span style="font-weight: bold; font-family:" class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Are there any plans to restripe U.S. 171 between Moeling and Fitzenreiter?</span>

<span style="font-weight: bold; font-family:" class="R~sep~ACopyBody">An area of particular concern is Moeling and U.S. 171. After traveling that area many times at night and especially after a rain, it is nearly impossible to tell what lane you are in.</span>

<span style="font-weight: bold; font-family:" class="R~sep~ACopyBody">The glare from the lights and water on the street makes it very difficult to see the markings.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">The state Department of Transportation and Development plans to restripe the area, said agency spokeswoman Deidra Druilhet.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">But, she said, the work can only be done under specific conditions:</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyListing">“It must be done on a day when there is minimal traffic, so as not to cause damage to the wet paint.”</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyListing">“It must be done in dry weather so that the paint will stick properly.”</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyListing">“It must be done in mild temperatures so the paint will dry properly.”</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Druilhet said the DOTD hopes to do the restriping in the next four to six weeks.</span>

<span style="font-weight: bold;" class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">Online:</span> <span class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote"><a href="http://www.dotd.la.gov">dotd.la.gov</a></span>

<span class="R~sep~AHeadBrief"><strong><span style="font-size: 14px;">Crossing OK if train not approaching</span></strong></span>

<span style="font-weight: bold; font-family:" class="R~sep~ACopyBody">How do you handle a situation when you’re at a railroad crossing, the arms are down and the lights are flashing for at least 10 minutes or more and there is no train in sight?</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Louisiana R.S. 32:171 prohibits people from crossing tracks or going around lowered gates when an “approaching railroad train is plainly visible and is in hazardous proximity to such crossing.”</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">If the signals and gates remain active but no train approaches and no horn is heard, you may proceed once you determine it is safe to do so. Once you see a train approach or hear a horn, you must wait for the train to pass before proceeding.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">From the statute:</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyInfoBox">A. Whenever any person driving a motor vehicle approaches a railroad grade crossing under any of the circumstances stated in this Section, the driver … shall stop within fifty feet but not less than fifteen feet from the nearest rail of such railroad, and shall not proceed until he can do so safely. The foregoing requirements shall apply when:</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyInfoBox">(1) A clearly visible electric or mechanical signal device gives warning of the immediate approach of a railroad train.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyInfoBox">(2) A crossing gate is lowered or when a human flagman gives or continues to give a signal of the approach or passage of a railroad train.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyInfoBox">(3) A railroad train approaching within approximately nine hundred feet of the highway crossing emits a signal in accordance with R.S. 32:168, and such railroad train, by reason of its speed or nearness to such crossing, is an immediate hazard.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyInfoBox">(4) An approaching railroad train is plainly visible and is in hazardous proximity to such crossing.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyInfoBox">(5) A stop sign is erected at the approach to a railroad grade crossing.</span>

<span style="font-weight: bold;" class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">Online:</span> <span class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote"><a href="http://www.legis.la.gov">legis.la.gov</a></span>

<p style="text-align: center;">***

<span style="font-size: 8pt;" class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">The I</span><span style="font-size: 8pt;" class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">nform</span><span style="font-size: 8pt;" class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">er answers questions from rea</span><span style="font-size: 8pt;" class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">ders each Sunday, Monday a</span><span style="font-size: 8pt;" class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">nd Wednesday. It is re</span><span style="font-size: 8pt;" class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">searched and written by</span> <span style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 8pt;" class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">Andrew Perzo</span><span style="font-size: 8pt;" class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">, an</span> <span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 8pt;" class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">American Press</span> <span style="font-size: 8pt;" class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">staff wri</span><span style="font-size: 8pt;" class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">ter. To ask a question, call</span> <span style="font-size: 8pt;" class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">494-409</span><span style="font-size: 8pt;" class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">8 and leave voice mail, or ema</span><span style="font-size: 8pt;" class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">il informer@americanpress.com.</span>