The Ambassador Town Center opens in two days and it’s sure to bring more traffic to an area that is already very busy.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development District Engineer Administrator William Oliver says as part of the permit process, big developers like Costco are required to prove they can maintain the traffic level just as it is.

DOTD says the center’s retailers done that – just as Whole Foods has done. “Turn lanes into Costco. They’ve put a signal there. They added the street at Lourdes and put a signal and right turn lane; then connected that street back to Kaliste Saloom,” adds Oliver.

DOTD says plan ahead as an immediate solution for dealing with the traffic. “Plan your trip so that you go to the businesses down the road.

You’re not doubling back making unnecessary left turns. You’ll be much safer and traffic moves much better.”

Oliver says many cities have other streets you can take to get to one place.

Oliver explains a study about build a South City Parkway to run behind the Johnston Street Library and over the Vermillion River could help take some of the traffic off Ambassador. “They’re also looking at LA 733 that’s been modeled and looked at in terms of widening those roadways to spread the traffic.

That’s the goal; spread the traffic out,” adds Oliver.