ABBEVILLE – As road construction in downtown Abbeville nears completion, officials have implemented new lane markings aimed at improving safety for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers.
Councilman Brady Broussard, who oversees the area, explained the meaning of the new markings, which include a double arrow and a bicycle symbol.
”You’re looking at dual lanes and bikes. That tells vehicles that cyclists are not alone. They are separated between vehicles and cyclists. Single lanes and bikes are reserved for cyclists; vehicles should not occupy them,” Broussard explained.
According to city officials, there have been 11 pedestrian-related crashes in the downtown area over the past decade. An ongoing project launched earlier this year aims to improve safety by replacing the traffic signals on St. Charles Street with omnidirectional stop signs. Broussard said the “road-friendly” plan is designed to slow traffic and create a safer environment for all road users.
”We’ve had some collisions between pedestrians and cyclists in Abbeville. This project provides enough space for pedestrians and cyclists to travel at a reasonable speed,” Broussard said.
The newly designed road is now a single-lane road with dedicated bike lanes in certain areas. These bike lanes provide cyclists with a dedicated space where they can ride without being distracted by traffic. It is important to note that vehicles are not allowed to ride or park on these bike lanes.
In addition, new markings called “share arrows” have been introduced, which are a portmanteau of the words “share” and “arrow.” Share arrows remind drivers that bicycles are legally allowed to occupy the entire lane. These markings direct cyclists along ideal routes and remind drivers of shared roads. Share arrows can be found on St. Charles Street from Charity to East St. Victor and on State Street from East St. Victor to City Hall.
Bicycles can travel on roads just like cars, but riding them on sidewalks is prohibited by city ordinance. The updated traffic signal system replaces red lights with omnidirectional stop signs, matching similar changes on State Street.
City officials acknowledge that the changes may be challenging, but they stress that the goal is to keep everyone safe. Additional signage will be installed soon to avoid confusion during the transition.
In addition to new lane markings, the City expanded parking options for people with disabilities and added ADA-compliant crosswalks to further improve accessibility.
Post time: Jan-03-2025