By Richard Meek
Contributing Writer

LAPLACE – St. John the Baptist Parish Councilman Larry Snyder understands the dismay of his constituents who live in the New Era subdivision off of Airline Highway.

He said the intersection of Airline and Tiffany Drive poses a safety hazard and is asking the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development for help in the form of a traffic light.

At the last regular council meeting, council members approved Sny.-der’s request asking the DODT to erect a light at the intersection to help ease the traffic burden.

Snyder said motorists leaving the subdivision intending to travel south on Airline, who must cross the northbound lanes before turning left, face particular challenges.

“It’s hard to get out of the subdivision,” Snyder said.

He said he understands some complaints about the light being too close to another but said that argument “won’t hold water.”

“We need that light there,” he said. “LaPlace is growing. The safety of our people is what is important.”

Typically, the DOTD conducts a survey at an intersection before putting in a signal light. The survey usually measures the amount of traffic flowing in all directions, and the department will use that data to make a decision.