Construction Well Underway | |
As most Covington drivers are aware, the new oblong-about at 21st and Jefferson has been opened as a roundabout while simultaneously still under construction. Any construction site on a State highway (North Tyler, 21st Ave and Boston Street are LA Hwy 21 and are the jurisdiction of LA Department of Transportation (DOTD) will cause delays, headaches and dangers. The close proximity of these workers to cars is certainly worrisome. | |
It's a bird, it's a plane, it's ... | | |
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Drones!!!
Our good friend Gage Boudreaux, who supervised the construction of the walkway at the Pineview Middle School community garden for his Eagle Scout project, shared these photos taken from his drone.
The one showing Acquistapace's is very cool. The one showing downtown is outstanding.
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What about the large trucks? | | |
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Eighteen wheelers and trucks pulling long trailers have created headaches for all of us. Many have been ticketed, but that is after the fact.
Once they have committed to Boston Street or 21st Ave, they are already in a bad spot. Diverting to our side streets brings on a whole new set of problems.
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When completed, the center median will be filled with concrete and our driving lanes will be elevated to match. Similar to Abita Springs, wheels from large trucks will roll over the center section. The center median is scheduled to be poured shortly … though I can't say when it will be deemed functional. | |
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A dozen or more times I have visited the site watching the traffic for 10 - 15 minutes at a time. Often, I have seen 50, 60 or 70 cars flow through the job site seamlessly. The symphony of vehicles is mesmerizing.
Treating the circle as a stop sign is not good.
Right Turn, First Exit
Through Traffic, Second Exit
Left Turn, Third Exit
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1) When approaching the oval, enter as soon as you safely can. Do not wait for the oval to be empty. If the car approaching you is exiting to your immediate left, it's time to enter.
2) Once in the oval, you have the Right of Way. You have a responsibility to keep moving. Do not stop to let other cars in. This is not a zipper, every-other-car type merger.
3) Know that your exit lane is empty. There is no one in it or blocking it. Actually, as you approach your exit lane, you may begin to accelerate to normal driving speed.
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Practice, Practice, Practice
(Good with the Oval? Please Skip This Section)
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If you are unsure of our new oblong-about, why not practice? Mid-morning, say 10:00am-ish is a good time.
Approach the intersection prepared to make a right turn. If no cars are approaching, continue driving into the first exit. You will be in and out before you realize it … having executed a right turn. If a car is coming, yield until you can safely enter, then drive directly through the first exit.
Repeat this maneuver three more times, approaching from a different direction each time.
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Now let's practice "through drives," that is, where all you really want to do is continue straight on the road you're on. Again, immediately enter the oval if no cars are approaching, or, yield to an oncoming car. Once in the oval, pass the first exit, drive past any cars yielding to you at the first entry lane, then easily enter the second exit (as there will be no cars blocking your path). Repeat from all four directions.
The Left Turn: Enter oval when safe, then pass the first and second exit and entry lanes. Cars approaching from there should yield to you. Take the third exit and your on you're way. Repeat from all four directions.
Like batting in Little League or public speaking, a little practice goes a long way. And, yes, I purposefully misused your and you're just to annoy my grammar-nazi friend and my high school English teacher ; ) … and, yes, I have been through the oblong-about three times on a bicycle.
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Zumba Flash Mob
St. Patrick's Celebration 2022
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Big Daddy'O finds his groove entertaining Leadership St. Tammany at Mandeville's Dew Drop Inn. Very Cool. | | |
Rockin' the Rails … Seeing this line-up, Mouton is smiling : ) | |
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Give if You Can,
It's a Good Thing
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The March - April newsletter is now available in green boxes across town ... in front of stores, coffee shops and in front of City Hall. Peggy Barden's favorite is Page 3: The calendar of events. | Block Parties are back. Huge thanks to the Covington Business Association for helping make these happen. | | |
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Corner of Jefferson and 21st Avenue
100+ years ago
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Remember when Jefferson Avenue had light poles running down the middle of it? And the street was made of dirt? Yeah, neither do I. However, the Covington Presbyterian Church at 222 South Jefferson Avenue remembers. That's it on the right side of the picture (with a very young live oak in front). We're looking from 20th Avenue towards 21st. The building in the middle, in the distance is about where Rene Frederick's building is located today.
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Above: Same perspective, today.
(R) Live Oak in front of
Covington Presbyterian Church
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We live in a wonderful city. Enjoy your walks (but walk against the traffic flow), enjoy your bike rides (bike with the traffic flow) and be mindful of pedestrians in the streets (old, narrow sidewalks do not work for everyone).
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Replies to this e-mail go directly to Mayor Mark.
Rooted in History, Focused on the Future
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