Abbeville Council discusses turn signal on John Hardy

As far as Abbeville Councilman Francis Touchet Jr. is concerned, when citizens bring a concern to him, he is going to in turn bring it to the table for the rest of the council.
Touchet, who represents District B, brought up such an issue during Tuesday’s regular council meeting. Touchet officially requested that the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) look into placing a left-turn signal at the intersection of North John Hardy Drive and Veterans Memorial Drive (La. 14 By-pass).
“I have been getting a lot of complaints from people about the high traffic and no left-turn signal,” Touchet said. “Drivers going north on John Hardy are having issues turning onto the By-pass going west.”
Touchet mentioned those concerns to fellow councilmen during Tuesday’s meeting. The council voted to send a formal request to the DOTD to conduct a study in regard to placing a left-turn signal.
“I am hopeful that the DOTD will go out and do a study and move on this,” Touchet said. “We have a lot of traffic that is coming onto John Hardy. It is taking them quite some time to turn on the By-pass.
“Some people end up waiting through multiple lights.”
Abbeville Public Works Director Clay Menard said during the meeting that one issue could factor into a turn signal being added.
“They don’t have a dedicated turning lane,” Menard said.
Councilman Brady Broussard Jr., District C, said he agrees something needs to be done in the area.
“If they would give more time to (drivers) on John Hardy,” Broussard said, “that would get that traffic through there. There is a back-up of traffic in that area.
“It’s a long line of traffic, sometimes 100 yards or more.”
The issue falls in line with one of Touchet’s main focuses.
“I have always stressed the importance of safety,” Touchet said. “Making sure that we have normal traffic flow is part of that.
“I really think this is a hindrance.”
Touchet is grateful for those who brought this issue to his attention.
“I want to thank the citizens of Abbeville for coming to me with these concerns,” Touchet said. “I want them to know that I will be very responsive and bring them to the table and try to push them forward.”