How Much are Road Projects in Lafayette Getting From COVID Relief Package?

This week, Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards announced that the state of Louisiana has received approximately $216 million to be allocated for road and infrastructure projects throughout the state. This is part of the $1.4 trillion 2020 Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act passed by Congress last year.

According to a press release from Governor John Bel Edwards' Office, $155 million is to be used at the state's discretion, $30 million specifically for bridge repair and/or replacement, $20 million for the state’s large metro areas and $11 million for electric vehicle charging infrastructures.

“As you are all aware, the state’s roads and bridges are in great need of repair and upgrade,” said Gov. John Bel Edwards at Monday's press conference. “Addressing these needs has been a priority of my administration. We have proven what we can do when we have funds and have invested over $3 billion in infrastructure since 2016, despite a 1980's revenue stream as the main source of funding.  Louisiana’s transportation infrastructure will benefit greatly from this additional funding, and I know DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson has worked tirelessly to find projects that will be most beneficial.”

Secretary Wilson gives further insight into how this money will be used by his DOTD department.

“We will certainly use these funds to replace funds that were lost as a result of the coronavirus and apply them to some of the most needed projects in all regions of Louisiana," said Wilson. "Unlike previous federal bills, these funds can be used for operating costs.  While none will be used for DOTD salaries, supplies or travel, we will replace some of our heavy equipment used by District forces in maintaining our state-owned highways and bridges.”

Below is a breakdown of what projects are being funded. The projects highlighted in RED are projects involving Lafayette. The projects highlighted in BLUE are projects throughout Acadiana.

Preservation

• LA 308: from Theriot Canal to St. Charles Bridge, Lafourche Parish, milling and overlay, $1.9 million
• LA 648: from LA 20 to LA 1, Lafourche & Terrebonne parishes, milling and overlay, $1.7 million
• LA 18: from Barataria Blvd. to Louisiana St., Jefferson Parish, milling and overlay, $2 million
• LA 406: left turn lane at Green Trails, Plaquemines Parish, $450,000
• LA 31: from St. Martinville to LA 92-1, St. Martin Parish, patching and overlay, $2 million
• LA 173: from LA 1 to U.S. 71, Caddo Parish, asphalt overlay, $900,000
• LA 2: from West Carroll Parish line to U.S. 65, East Carroll Parish, overlay, $2.1 million
• LA 15: from U.S. 425 to Ouachita Parish line, Richland Parish, asphalt overlay, $3.3 million
• LA 108: from I-10 to LA 1256, Calcasieu Parish, patching, cold planing, and overlay, $4.1 million
• LA 99 and LA 102: from LA 3086 to LA 26, Jefferson Davis Parish, milling and overlay, $1.7 million
• U.S. 71: turn lanes for emergency staging area, Rapides Parish, $1 million
• LA 119: embankment slide repairs, Natchitoches Parish, $5 million
• LA 914, LA 915, and LA 916: Catahoula Parish, patching and overlay, $2.1 million
• LA 68: from U.S. 61 to LA 964, East Feliciana Parish, stabilize and overlay, $2.9 million
• LA 78: from U.S. 190 to LA 1, Pointe Coupee Parish, patching, thinning, and overlay, $1.5 million
• LA 441: from LA 42 to I-12, Livingston Parish, milling and overlay, $900,000
• LA 16: from Livingston Parish line to LA 63, St. Helena Parish, milling and overlay, $3 million

Major Investment

• I-49: work TBD, Lafayette Parish, $50 million
• I-20: widening from U.S. 165 to approximately 2 miles eastward, Ouachita Parish $20 million
• I-20: from Monkhouse Dr. East to Greenwood Rd. at I-20/I-49, Caddo Parish, $15 million
• U.S. 190 utility relocation: St. Landry Parish, $8 million

Direct Category Expenditure

• Bridge replacement and rehabilitation, Calcasieu Parish, $29.4 million
• Electric vehicle charging infrastructure, statewide, $11.3 million
• Allocations for greater than 200,000 population, metropolitan planning organizations, $19.9 million

District Priorities

• $26 million to the district offices for regional congestion relief and equipment replacement

Surplus

• The Administration is requesting TTF match Highway Priority Program, statewide, $35 million

“The entire Acadiana area and I are incredibly pleased with the announcement made by Governor Edwards at his press conference yesterday," said State Senator Gerald Boudreaux. "I would like to thank the Governor, President Cortez, Speaker Schexnayder, DOTD Secretary Wilson, and the entire Acadiana Delegation for their work in making this possible. Priority funding has been directed to two important, and much-needed, infrastructure projects in our area. There’s $50 million earmarked for the I-49 Connector Project in Acadiana and another $8 million for the Highway 190 project in St. Landry Parish. This is an excellent example of multiple parties working together to accomplish great things for our area.”