1. A. The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) recognizes that landowners have certain rights of access. The DOTD also recognizes that access connections are a major contributor to traffic congestion, increase the degradation of transportation facility operations, can result in decreased highway capacity, cause driver and pedestrian confusion, and can increase safety hazards.
2. B. Most roadside interference can be attributed directly to vehicular traffic entering, exiting, and parking adjacent to accesses for residential developments, business establishments, and commercial roadside developments.
3. C. Incumbent with this is the obligation to protect the investment of the state in the highway system. Access connections granted by the DOTD can be restrictive. However, DOTD, through its district administrators, may grant exceptions to the restrictions set forth in this Chapter based upon the uniqueness of the environment in which access is sought.

4. D. The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) has the authority to require permits for access connections as set forth in R.S. 48:344. Access connection permits are required in order to achieve the following:

   1. 1. to ensure safe and orderly movement for vehicular traffic entering and leaving the highway;
   2. 2. to prevent hazardous and indiscriminate parking on, along, or adjacent to the roadway surface;
   3. 3. to preserve adequate sight distances at intersections (including streets and driveways);
   4. 4. to encourage beautification of property frontage;
   5. 5. to ensure uniform design and construction of access on highway right-of-way.
   6. E. The DOTD policy referred to throughout this Chapter is available on the DOTD website.

Authority Note

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 48:344.

Historical Note

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Transportation and Development, LR 37:347 (January 2011), amended by HCR 9 of the 2013 Regular Session.