Building a J-Turn: State starts construction of new turning system at intersection of Hwy. 167, 699 Hwy. 167, 699

Changes are coming soon to the way motorists will turn at the intersection of U.S. Hwy. 167 and LA. Hwy. 699.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) officially began construction on a J-Turn for the intersection on Jan. 9. The project is expected to be completed in mid-February, weather permitting.

The J-Turn will require drivers seeking to go left toward Maurice off 699 to first merge and go south toward Abbeville. Drivers will then enter a dedicated turning lane and make a U-turn at a crossing about a mile down 167.

“By constructing the J-Turn at the intersection of US 167 and La 699,” DOTD spokesperson Deidra Lockart explained, “it will assist in reducing the risk of crashes and specifically the risk of severe crashes such as side-collisions or T-bone type accidents. The construction of the J-Turn is also a reflection of DOTD’s commitment to delivering transportation and public works systems that enhance the quality of life.”

The J-Turn idea is nothing new to Louisiana.

“These movements are not new and can be seen at the intersection of Chemin Metairie and Ambassador Caffery (Lafayette Parish),” Lockhart said, “as well as along busy highways such as Canal Street in New Orleans and Airline Highway in Baton Rouge.”

A large portion of the drivers affected by the new intersection will come from North Vermilion High School, which is located on 699. North Vermilion Principal Greg Theriot said the school has 200 parking spots and about 100 parents who drop off their children.

“We have about 300 drivers come from our school,” Theriot said. “Now, not all of them go that way. But it is a large number that will be affected.”

Theriot said he plans to educate students on how to navigate the J-Turn.

“A parent of one of our students is a state trooper,” Theriot said. “I can have an assembly to tell them how it operates.”

Theriot said he is in favor of the change for one major reason.

“It’s going to change traffic patterns for the safety of all involved,” Theriot said. “Is it going to be an inconvenience? Maybe a little bit. But if it can save a child or grown person from being killed, it is a good thing. It has been a very, very dangerous intersection. We have never had a student killed right there, but we have had some injured in wrecks there.

“It scares me every time there is an accident at that intersection because I know how many of our kids go to that intersection. Anything that can help these young drivers drive safely, I am all for it.”