The Plank Road Sidewalk Problem

The Plank Road sidewalk in Baton Rouge has been a persistent issue for years. It is a problem that has left a business owner frustrated and concerned for his neighbor's safety. The sidewalk has been a hazard for several years. Brian Ford, a local business owner, has been trying to get it fixed. He has been asking for repairs for years. The problem is that no one seems to know who is responsible for fixing it. The sidewalk is at the corner of Plank Road and Clark Street. It is in the Brownsfield area of East Baton Rouge Parish. Ford owns a self-service car wash there. He also plans to open a snowball stand at the same corner. The sidewalk has been broken for years. Trees and weeds have grown out of it. This makes it difficult for pedestrians to use. Ford is worried about his neighbor, Jason. Jason uses a wheelchair and has to go onto Plank Road to avoid the broken sidewalk. Ford used to cut the weeds but says it's only a temporary fix. The big hole in the sidewalk is still there. Looking back at old images, the sidewalk looked new in 2016. But it started to fail in 2019. In March 2021, the concrete sidewalk was removed. An orange barricade was put around the area. The barricade has been replaced several times since then. The vegetation continues to grow. Ford would love to have the sidewalk fixed. He has been in touch with both the City of Baton Rouge and the DOTD. They have been notified about the issue and are working together to investigate. Some people might think this is a small problem. But it's important to remember that small problems can become big ones. If a sidewalk is not safe, it can cause accidents. It can also make it hard for people with disabilities to get around. This is a problem that needs to be fixed. It's not just about making the sidewalk look nice. It's about keeping people safe. It's about making sure everyone can use the sidewalk. It's about taking responsibility and getting the job done. It's time for someone to step up and fix this sidewalk. It's time for the city and the state to work together. It's time for this problem to be solved.