UPDATE 2/26:

The Baton Rouge Metro Council has officially approved the “Perk Up Perkins” Road Enhancements Project, bringing important pedestrian safety and mobility improvements to Perkins Road! These upgrades are designed to enhance pedestrian mobility and improve safety throughout the Perkins Road overpass district corridor, making it easier and safer for residents, families, and visitors to walk the area.

The Project Area includes:
Perkins Road from Hollydale Avenue to Cedardale Avenue

What’s Coming:
- New sidewalks on both sides of Perkins Road
- A hybrid beacon crosswalk at Ferndale Avenue & Perkins Road
- Improved crosswalks and updated signage at: 

-Hollydale Avenue & Perkins Road
-Cedardale Avenue & Perkins Road

Special Thanks:
A special thank you to Jen Racca, Council Member for District 12, for her successful efforts in advancing this important project for the community.

Thanks to each and every one of you who made your voices heard in support of this project.

Timeline:
This project will be completed in coordination with other MOVEBR and Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LADOTD) initiatives to ensure cohesive improvements across the corridor. A construction timeline has not yet been confirmed, but additional updates will be shared as more details become available.

UPDATE 8/11: 

We're still awaiting details on the Ferndale crosswalk and want to ensure we get a hybrid beacon at that location and also that improvements (painting, maintenance, improved signage, etc) are done at all crossings in this corridor (Hollydale, Ferndale, Cedardale). 

Please be sure to join us for the "Perk Up Perkins" Demo Day on Saturday, August 16 to see what’s possible. We’ll showcase improved crosswalks and additional improvements that could enhance safety, accessibility, and quality of life along the corridor. Enjoy pop-up play from BREC, local business activations, gift card giveaways, and more!

 

 

 

 

 

UPDATE 7/20:

Great news: an improved crosswalk at Ferndale and Perkins has been approved and funded! This is a major win for neighborhood safety and walkability, and it wouldn’t have happened without your support.

But there’s still more work to be done. To create a truly connected, walkable corridor along Perkins Road, we need to keep the momentum going.

Join us for Perk Up Perkins: Demo Day on Saturday, August 16 to see what’s possible. We’ll showcase the approved crosswalk and additional improvements that could enhance safety, accessibility, and quality of life along the corridor. Enjoy pop-up play, local business activations, giveaways, and more!

Special thanks to Council Member Jen Racca, Mayor Sid Edwards’ Office, and Chief of Staff Lon Vicknair for their leadership and partnership in making this happen.

We hope to see you there!!

UPDATE:

Thank you to everyone who has shared, signed, and helped move this project idea forward. We’re delighted to be in active conversations with Councilwoman Racca and she is supporting us in setting a meeting with the Mayor’s Office. We’ll continue to post updates here. Thank you!

ISSUE:

The intersection of Perkins Road and Hollydale, near the University Gardens neighborhood, is a bustling area frequented by pedestrians accessing local businesses and services. Unfortunately, crossing this busy stretch of road is both difficult and dangerous due to the lack of a marked crosswalk and proper pedestrian signals.

With Gail’s Ice Cream and the playground at Var’s across the street from one another at this intersection even more families are navigating this crossing, making safe passage a growing concern. With the impending interstate widening project and the Perkins Road underpass project—which does not include a planned crosswalk across Perkins—addressing pedestrian safety at this intersection is both timely and critical for local businesses and families.

We are calling on City Leaders to install an improved crosswalk (similar to the one pictured) at this intersection. This vital improvement will:

• Protect pedestrians by providing clear signals to both drivers and walkers.
• Reduce the risk of accidents and near-misses.
• Make our neighborhood safer and more accessible for everyone.

Your signature can help show our community's strong support for this essential safety measure. Let’s take action before another accident occurs—together, we can create a safer Perkins Road for all.

Please sign and share this petition today. Thank you!

STATS:

•  In 2021, East Baton Rouge Parish reported 25 pedestrian fatalities, contributing to an all-time high in pedestrian deaths across Louisiana. -- BR Proud

• According to a 2024 report by Smart Growth America, Baton Rouge tied for the fifth-highest average pedestrian fatality rate among U.S. metropolitan areas from 2018 to 2022. -- Smart Cities Dive

• A 2023 study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) ranked Baton Rouge as the 10th most dangerous city for pedestrians, with an average annual pedestrian fatality rate of 6.1 per 100,000 residents and a 137.5% increase in pedestrian fatalities over a four-year period. -- BR Proud