By james art Business owners and residents near the Perkins Road overpass are still awaiting construction of an anticipated “linear park” that will provide a protected path for pedestrians and cyclists, as well as designated public spaces in the area between Reymond Avenue and Christian Street.
The project is moving forward now that various permits have been approved, such as one with Kansas City Southern for a railroad crossing. The city hopes to grant the business owners’ request that construction begin in the summer of 2025.
“It’s been a long strange journey, as the Grateful Dead say,” said Varsity Sports owner and underpass project advocate Jenny Peters.
The idea for a revitalized underpass, complete with landscaping, lighting and public art, came about four years ago when local business owners, including Peters, commissioned plans and a land survey that would show how to improve the section under the overpass, as reported by 225 Magazine.
Plans called for a multi-use public trail in the Perkins Road underpass space to connect Reymond Avenue and Christian Street, helping to clean up the area and make it more accessible. The MOVEBR Transportation Initiative will fund the project, and the Baton Rouge Metro Council has committed $2.7 million, Peters said.
The underpass is badly needed, she said. Peters said she has seen numerous cyclists and runners try to cross using the overpass, but fall and injure themselves on the narrow sidewalk, she said.
“The overpass creates a real physical and social barrier,” Peters said.
Var’s Pizza co-owner Edwin Edwards agreed the road would benefit businesses and residents. Anything that makes it easier for pedestrians to cross is “a plus for our area,” he said.
Jordan Piazza, owner of The Colonel’s Club on Perkins Road, added that the project will better connect the neighborhood to neighborhoods, businesses, LSU and downtown.
“We are grateful to everyone involved who sees the full potential of this field,” he said in an email to The Advocate.
Questions remain
The city is considering several issues before breaking ground, said Fred Raiford, director of transportation and drainage for East Baton Rouge, including how to maintain parking safety and access to the interstate, and how to ensure the area has adequate drainage.
The project’s schedule also depends on whether Kansas City Southern begins work on the railroad crossing that the company recently approved.
“All the bits and pieces are there,” Raiford said. “We’re just trying to bring them all together when the time is right so we can minimize that impact on the community.”
Once a start date is set, construction on the trail will take about six months, he said.
Peters said she and other business owners are optimistic the project will finally come to fruition.
“When the first shovel goes into the ground, I’ll feel like our mission is complete,” she said.