Louisiana's Atchafalaya Basin Bridge is getting new rules to make driving safer for everyone.
Big changes: Starting March 18, crews will put up new 60 mph speed signs for all vehicles. Trucks no longer have to go slower than cars. And, radar devices will tell drivers if they're speeding. Trucks need to stay on the bridge's right lane though.
- Lane closures will happen while they work on these changes, but everything should be done by June.
- The update will cost about $591,040.
Why: Officials hope that by having everyone go the same speed, there'll be fewer bad crashes. They're doing this because the bridge is a "Highway Safety Corridor" — where tickets double.
- Truck groups like the OOIDA think this is a good move since different speeds for cars and trucks can lead to more accidents.
The plan is part of a bigger project. Later, they'll put in speed cameras and send automatic tickets to speeders.
When it's all set up, the goal is smoother, safer driving for everyone passing through.