Temporary LED lights now illuminate a stretch of Nicholson Drive near Louisiana State University as local authorities work to improve pedestrian safety following a fatal October collision.
The safety updates arrive while construction continues on a MOVEBR road improvement project in East Baton Rouge Parish. Officials report that crews have also repaved the walking path and dropped the speed limit from 45 mph to 35 mph between Brightside Drive and Bob Pettit Boulevard.
East Baton Rouge Transportation Director Fred Raiford explained that the corridor previously lacked adequate illumination, prompting the installation of temporary fixtures to help motorists spot people walking along the route. We wanted to be sure that people saw people walking, provide a little additional lighting for the roadway,
Raiford said.
The adjustments come in the wake of an Oct. 18 crash that claimed the lives of 21-year-old Leah Victoria Fonte and Shane David Hirstius, 21. Baton Rouge police reported that the couple was walking along the shoulder when a vehicle drifted off the roadway and struck them. Fonte, an LSU senior, died at the scene, while Hirstius, a firefighter, later died at a hospital.
Investigators arrested the driver, Mia Camille Dawson, on multiple counts, including vehicular homicide, operating while impaired, and hit-and-run driving.
Temporary LED lights are illuminating a stretch of Nicholson Drive near LSU as officials work to improve safety for pedestrians and drivers following a crash that killed an LSU student and her fiancé. https://t.co/m8gof59bXN
In response to the tragedy, local leaders coordinated with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, LSU Police, the sheriff’s office, and Entergy to address lighting deficiencies along the corridor. State Representative Dixon McMakin noted the push for better visibility while heavy infrastructure work remains underway.
Before the sidewalk gets finished during this road project, we’ve got to have more light out there,
McMakin said. Would that have helped the accident? We never know.
McMakin added that the temporary fixtures are designed to help pedestrians feel safer and make them more visible to drivers. He also indicated that he would have liked to see concrete barricades installed during construction.
Construction Could Finish by Late 2028 or Early 2029
The broader MOVEBR initiative for the corridor features a shared-use path, additional lighting, and improved pedestrian crossings. Raiford noted that officials are also considering whether more lighting is needed between Bob Pettit Boulevard and Gurrier Avenue.
Assuming weather cooperates, moving utilities could require a minimum of one more year, with construction taking roughly an additional eighteen months. Officials estimate that the project could be completed in late 2028 or early 2029.
At the same time, the DOTD has noted that uncertainty remains regarding whether the reduced speed limit will stay in effect once construction concludes.
