A New Iberia City Councilman says some of the roads in his district aren’t safe for pedestrians.

Councilman David Broussard says he’s been fighting for 14 years to have a sidewalk installed along La Highway 14.  

Plus, Councilman Broussard wants to see a crosswalk button put so pedestrians can safely cross the street. “Lets build the sidewalks and businesses will come.”

Broussard says in the first quarter of 2018 the city council sent a resolution asking for sidewalks to be installed.  He says there needs to be ways for pedestrians to get aroundd.

“We’re hoping to get a simple button put on this pole to have people cross safely from the hotels and from the eating places. It’s a major road and we’re asking for sidewalks right here at the light all the way to Sucrose Drive,” Broussard added.

The Pepperplex Sports Complex is located on Sucrose Drive. “If people want to walk from the hotels they can walk.”

Broussard says then extend the sidewalk further down Highway 14 to Center Street. He says there are crosswalk signs and sidewalks in other parts of the city. “Build more businesses; more and more people are going to be going to work.  They’re going to be walking on those sidewalks.  Plan for the future; that’s what we are talking about infrastructure and for the futures,” Broussard said.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) says the installation of sidewalks on a completed project must be initiated by local government.  

Councilman Broussard says something needs to be done to keep citizens’ safety at highest regard. Broussard explains people have died in crossing accidents along Highway 14. “It has happened and we don’t want it to happen again.”