The Thibodaux community may now see smoother traffic since the opening of the East Thibodaux Corridor where North Acadia Road and South Acadia Road were converted into one-way streets with lanes going west and east, respectively. In addition, traffic lights, U-turn lanes and eight turning lanes were placed at the intersection of the corridor and Audubon Drive.

“We are excited to have this boulevard put into service,” Thibodaux Mayor Charles Caillouet said.

The City of Thibodaux contracted David A. Waitz Engineering & Surveying Inc. and Sealevel Construction Company Inc. to do the project. Tommy Eschete, City Council Administrator, said the engineering and surveying cost is not expected to exceed $50,000. The total cost of construction was $453,580.

A traffic light was also placed at the intersection of Percy Brown Road and Holiday Drive, where Nicholls faculty member Mary de la Bretonne was killed. The former secretary for the Dean of Education died in an automobile accident in March of this year.

State Rep. Warren J. Triche Jr., D-Raceland, said he has fought to have a traffic light installed at the intersection for years. During the 2007 legislative session, Triche sponsored House Concurrent Resolution 116. It would have directed the Department of Transportation and Development to install a traffic light at the intersection of Percy Brown Road and Holiday Drive.

With the help of two other local State Representatives, Gordon Dove, R-Houma, and Loulan J. Pitre Jr., R-Cut Off, Concurrent Resolution 116 unanimously passed the House Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works. Triche said the Department of Transportation and Development guaranteed traffic light would be put up so the concurrent resolution was not needed.