Mall of Louisiana Boulevard Underpass Project Breaks Ground

BATON ROUGE — A long-planned infrastructure upgrade near one of Louisiana’s busiest commercial corridors has officially moved into construction. Work is now underway on a railroad underpass and new pump station along Mall of Louisiana Boulevard, the city-parish announced Monday.

Local officials say the start of construction represents a “critical milestone” toward improving traffic flow in an area where motorists, cyclists and pedestrians frequently encounter congestion and delays.

According to leaders, the project will enhance “connectivity and safety for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists in the area,” creating smoother travel between shopping, medical and residential destinations.

New Route for a High-Demand Corridor

Formerly known as the Picardy-Perkins Connector, the project was originally expected to begin in 2022. The redesigned roadway will create a much-needed alternative route to overcrowded Bluebonnet Boulevard — providing a direct connection from Perkins Road to:

• Mall of Louisiana Boulevard
• Ring Road
• Picardy Avenue
• And eventually, I-10 access

This expanded transportation loop aims to accommodate continued commercial and medical growth near Our Lady of the Lake Hospital and The Mall of Louisiana.

Reducing Noise, Enhancing Neighborhood Protection

To address community concerns, officials confirmed a privacy and noise barrier will be installed before the roadway opens.

A wall will be included “along the new roadway behind the neighboring subdivision,” said Fred Raiford, Director of Transportation and Drainage for East Baton Rouge Parish.

The next phase of construction will include the placement of this wall to protect nearby homes from traffic impacts.

Flood Prevention and Trail Connectivity

The work now underway includes the installation of a drainage pump station — part of the project’s flood-mitigation strategy designed to reduce flash flooding during heavy storms and hurricane season.

Once complete, the new four-lane roadway will feature:

• A 10-foot-wide shared-use trail for walking and biking
• Direct tie-in to BREC’s Trail at Dawson’s Creek, which will be built in a future phase
• Improved stormwater infrastructure and easier emergency vehicle access

Supporting Commercial Growth and Safety

The Mall of Louisiana area continues to serve as a major regional shopping and employment hub. Parish engineers say the combination of an underpass, flood-control systems and multimodal pathways addresses issues that have challenged commuters for years.

City-parish leaders say more construction details, including traffic impacts and expected completion timelines, will be provided as work progresses.

Originally reported by WBRZ.