One of my favorite things about Ruston is that we are a city that continues to grow while still feeling like home. But as our community grows, we also have to think differently about how people get around.
More people are walking, running, biking, and riding scooters across Ruston. Louisiana Tech students travel between campus, apartments, restaurants, and stores every day. Families want safe places to walk together. Runners and cyclists want routes that do not put them in the middle of traffic.
The problem is that much of Ruston was built around cars.
In many parts of our city, sidewalks are limited or do not exist at all. That leaves people walking, biking, running, and riding scooters on roads that were never designed to safely handle them.
I see this problem firsthand in Ward 5.
Barnett Springs Road is a great example. I have noticed a major increase in the number of people riding scooters along the road. At the same time, Barnett Springs already carries a lot of vehicle traffic and has its share of potholes and cracks.
Imagine trying to navigate those conditions on a scooter while cars are passing beside you.
I have seen people forced off the road, and I have even watched someone wipe out as a car was passing. Someone should not have to risk getting hit by a car just because they chose to ride a scooter, bike to campus, or go for a run.
That is why I believe we should explore expanding Ruston’s Greenway into Ward 5…and eventually creating connections throughout our entire city.
More Than a Trail
Ruston’s Greenway has already shown us what safe walking and biking infrastructure can look like. It gives people a place to walk, run, and bike away from busy traffic.
Now imagine if we built on that idea.
What if someone living in Ward 5 could safely bike to Louisiana Tech without having to ride alongside heavy traffic? What if a Tech student could ride a scooter from campus to more parts of Ruston using a safe route? What if families could take an evening walk without worrying about cars coming up behind them?
I would personally love to be able to walk or bike safely from my home in Ward 5 to Louisiana Tech’s campus. Right now, that simply is not a realistic option.
I want to change that.
That does not mean every part of a future Greenway system has to look exactly the same. In some areas, a sidewalk or protected bike path may make sense. In others, an off-road walking and biking trail may be safer and more enjoyable. The goal should be to create connected routes that allow people to move around Ruston without always needing a car.
Public Safety Looks Different Today
When we talk about public safety, we often think about police, fire departments, and emergency services. Those are extremely important. But public safety also means designing our community in ways that help prevent accidents before they happen.
A student riding a scooter should not have to choose between riding in traffic or riding through grass. A runner should not have to jump off the road when a vehicle approaches. A child riding a bicycle should have a safe place to ride.
As Ruston changes, our approach to public safety has to change with it.
We cannot eliminate every danger, but we can build a city where walking and biking do not have to feel dangerous.
An Investment in Growth
Expanding the Greenway would also be an investment in Ruston’s future.
When young professionals, families, and students decide where they want to live, quality of life matters. People want parks, trails, restaurants, businesses, and neighborhoods that are connected. They want options.
You may still drive to work every morning, but perhaps you bike downtown on Saturday. You may drive to the grocery store but walk to visit a friend. A Tech student may own a car but choose to ride a scooter to class.
Giving people more choices does not mean being against cars. It means building a city that works for more people.
I believe Ruston has an opportunity to create a Greenway network that connects neighborhoods, Louisiana Tech, downtown, parks, businesses, and other important parts of our community.
Ward 5 should be part of that vision.
Connecting Ruston
I do not believe we should build something simply because another city has it. We should invest in projects that make sense for Ruston.
Expanding our Greenway makes sense.
It can improve safety. It can encourage exercise and healthier lifestyles. It can give Louisiana Tech students another way to get around. It can connect neighborhoods. It can improve quality of life. And it can make Ruston an even more attractive place to call home.
My first priority would be exploring how we can extend safe walking and biking connections into Ward 5, especially toward Louisiana Tech. But my larger hope is that we begin thinking about what a truly connected Ruston could look like.
Imagine being able to walk, run, bike, or scooter from one side of Ruston to another using safe, connected routes.
That is the kind of investment that may seem small today but could completely change how people experience our city decades from now.
Ruston is growing.
Let’s make sure we are connecting it as we grow.
And Let’s keep Ruston moving forward!!!
Find out more about my campaign at gogalenturner.com or email me at gogalenturner@gmail.com
The above information has been provided by a political campaign. Unless otherwise noted, the Lincoln Parish Journal publishing staff does not endorse specific candidates or ballot measures.
