Father Chad Partain, a noted Central Louisiana Historian and Orator,
has correctly stated that the one thing Alexandria is noted for statewide is our South Traffic Circle. No motorist in
our entire state who comes through Alexandria can forget navigating the South Traffic Circle.
Why not make the best and highest use of what many have labeled as a deficit in Alexandria's
highway system. Make it an asset, instead. Alexandria's MacArthur Drive, the North Traffic Circle (now extinct)
and the South Traffic Circle were part of the vast military maneuvers moving troops, weapons and supplies between the Central
Louisiana war camps during WWII.
Why not rename the South Traffic Circle to Memorial Circle? When the grass
is freshly mowed in the circle area, the South Traffic Circle is beautiful. The densely wooded center of the circle,
with its lush green foilage and manicured grass is aesthetically very pleasing to navigate. Perhaps a regimen involving
our City and the Louisiana DOTD can work together to assure that the grass is cut at least once every two weeks in the growing
season. That will assure that the aesthetics of the South Traffic Circle area remain pleasing. Such a regimen
certainly will engender civic pride. Everyone loves properties that are well maintained.
Additionally, perhaps we who love Alexandria can consider placing some type of monuments,
statuary or flags in the inner circle which houses the dense trees and woods. The circle actually has four sides: (1)
One side of the circle could be devoted to statuary, flags or memorials of the WWII era; (2) another side could be devoted
to local dignitaries from Alexandria who have achieved great accomplishments. Alexander Fulton comes to mind as do our
two policemen (Ezernack and Carruth) who were slain in service to our city. (3)
Yet another side of the circle could address our Civil War heritage with statuary of confederate general Richard Taylor
who occupied our city and Union general Nathaniel P. Banks who infamously allowed the burning of the city of Alexandria.
(4) The final side of the traffic circle could be devoted to statuary, monuments or flags of individuals who have served our
city on a federal basis. Senator Overton and Gillis Long are two individuals who come to mind.
Finally, considering the longevity of the South Traffic Circle, it appears that
the South Traffic Circle is going to be a permanent fixture in Louisiana's highway system. Merchants from the Alexandria
mall are opposed to the Cloverleaf Overpass system proposed by the Louisiana DOTD. Alexandria needs to make a silk purse
out of a sow's ear so to speak in the South Traffic Circle situation. To improve the safety of the South Traffic Circle
for motorists, the Louisiana DOTD needs to install flashing caution lights on all arteries leading into the circle to alert
traffic navigating the circle to reduce their speed and employ caution. The present speed limit of forty-five miles
an hour governing motorists entering the circle, needs to be reduced to a much safer speed limit to enter and navigate the
circle. The flashing caution lights on every artery entering the circle will alert out of town motorists and in town
motorists to utilize caution to enter and navigate the traffic circle.
HACL opines that these proposals will turn a deficit in our city to a memorial showcase
of who we are historically as a people. The civic pride inherent in such an endeavor will likely send visitors who travel
through our city and navigate the traffic circle, back to their homes or destinations, leaving with them a favorable impression
of Alexandria and not an impression of city trapped in a time-warp.
