The roadways can go from smooth sailing to bumper-to-bumper traffic in no time during the holiday season in Baton Rouge, especially on Bluebonnet Boulevard and Perkins Road.
“It took me 15 minutes to get from Lands’ End to Fresh Market, which is about a block and a half. I’ve just never seen anything like what’s going on in Baton Rouge,” said Tracey MacGown.
MacGown is from Pennsylvania, and said she is not used to all this traffic.
“Oh no, they don’t have traffic. I could get across town in 15 minutes,” MacGown added.
However, Kim Bergeron is a little more optimistic about it.
“I kind of find it exciting. It doesn’t bother me,” Bergeron said. “Bluebonnet, Siegen areas, you could sit for about 10 minutes to 15 minutes. You just have to start your day out early. You cannot be pressed for time.”
Either way, traffic affects a lot of you. Law enforcement officials urge you to be careful and patient, and make sure you allow a little more time to get to where you need to go.
“It’s the holiday season. We want everyone to be safe going to and from their destinations,” Cpl. Don Coppola of the Baton Rouge Police Department said. “Leave early, of course, buckle up, don’t drink and drive, and give yourself that extra time because you can expect higher delays.”
Baton Rouge Police will have more officers out the day after Christmas to help the State Police with the traffic flow, particularly on the interstates.
AAA expects a record number of travelers the next couple of weeks.