The state Department of Transportation and Development held a meeting in Lake Charles on Tuesday to present its plans to extend Nelson Road and bridge Contraband Bayou to join Nelson and West Sallier Street.

On Wednesday morning a reader wrote to The Informer to ask about the plans.

“I was not able to attend the meeting concerning the proposed Nelson Road extension project last night, but I would like to look at the maps of the three proposals,” the reader wrote in an email.

“I’ve searched the Internet, KPLC’s website, the American Press and DOTD, but I can’t find copies of them. Do you have another suggestion? Or are they just not available?”

The Informer asked DOTD spokeswoman Deidra Druilhet, who responded later that afternoon to say that the plans had since been posted online — at www.dotd.la.gov/administration/public_info/projects/nelsonroad.

But rather than merely direct readers to the Web page, The Informer asked American Press graphic artist Donna Price to put together maps of the proposals — each of which is presented here, along with a map of the wider area.

Planned Nelson Road extension

Connecting Nelson Road to West Sallier Street

Roundabouts lead to better traffic flow

On the roundabouts that are supposed to be built, how are they supposed to help traffic? I am not understanding that.

Because they feature yield signs at entry points and allow only for right turns, roundabouts promote a more continuous flow of traffic than traditional signal-controlled intersections, which are characterized by stop-and-wait-to-go traffic flow.

For more information on how roundabouts work, visit www.cppj.net/index.aspx?page=1329 — which features a five-minute-long video — or call the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury at 721-3500.

A state Department of Transportation and Development Web page features a document that contains a few testimonials on the benefits of roundabouts elsewhere in Louisiana:

Abita Brew Pub owner Vula Essaied — “I like the roundabout. It has improved traffic and has cleared a line of traffic that used to block our business.”

Optima Specialty Hospital manager Patricia Hebert — “5 p.m. traffic has improved.”

Acadian Village manager Megan Morrin — “I like the roundabout because more traffic passes by my business.”

Stafford Airport owner John Stafford — “The roundabout improved traffic greatly. It used to take 45 minutes to get through the intersection. Now when 5 p.m. traffic comes around, it takes less than a minute to pass through the roundabout.”

Online: www.dotd.la.gov/administration/public_info/projects/roundabouts.

The Informer answers questions from readers each Sunday, Monday and Wednesday. It is researched and written by Andrew Perzo, an American Press staff writer. To ask a question, call 494-4098, press 5 and leave voice mail, or email informer@americanpress.com

(American Press Archives)