U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) announced on Apr. 2 that he secured $2 million in federal funding to improve safety along Burbank Drive in Baton Rouge. The announcement was made during an event with local officials and community members, highlighting plans to add a turning lane and J-turn lanes near the busy Burbank Soccer Complex.
The improvements are intended to address traffic concerns for families traveling to and from the soccer complex, which serves hundreds of children each week. Due to a lack of intersection control, families have faced difficulties crossing multiple lanes of fast-moving traffic, leading to numerous incidents.
“Creating a turning lane so that the thousands of people who go into the Burbank Soccer Complex can enter safely is common sense,” said Dr. Cassidy. “This is me working on the federal level with local officials to better serve the people of St. George, Baton Rouge, and Louisiana.”
St. George Mayor Dustin Yates joined Cassidy at the event and said, “The Burbank Drive Project is exactly the kind of infrastructure investment our community needs – targeted, impactful, and focused on safety. We’re proud to partner with Senator Cassidy to deliver real improvements that will benefit residents in a major way and enhance safety for families who use this area every day.”
Later in the day, Cassidy visited Woman’s Hospital where he met with hospital leadership and toured key facilities including their NICU, Perinatal Mental Health Unit, and Cancer Pavilion. He recently introduced legislation aimed at improving telehealth services for pregnant and postpartum women as well as leading efforts such as the Women and Lung Cancer Research and Preventive Services Act.
“As Louisiana looks to improve how mothers do before, during, and after their pregnancy, Woman’s Hospital is on the leading edge, including having only one of 5 maternal mental health units in the nation,” said Dr. Cassidy. “As we strive to be the best, Woman’s Hospital shows how it can be done.” Mr. Rene Ragas, CEO of Woman’s Hospital added: “We were pleased to welcome Senator Bill Cassidy to our campus today…and see firsthand the care we provide…through a tour of key areas…”
Cassidy co-founded the Greater Baton Rouge Community Clinic which delivers free health care services according to his official website. He also advances initiatives focused on reducing health care costs as well as reforming mental health systems according to his official website. As chair of the Senate Health Committee—and member of several others—he continues work supporting both infrastructure projects like those announced today alongside ongoing public health priorities according to his official website.
