I-49 Connector, New Lake Charles Bridge Get Federal Funding
The I-49 Connector and the new I-10 Calcasieu River bridge are among the major projects that will receive federal funding through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act.
Governor John Bel Edwards announced on Monday that Louisiana will receive $216 million in those funds to pay for road and infrastructure projects.
The I-49 Connector, which has been in the planning stages for decades, will receive $50 million. Still, no timetable has been set for that project to begin. The new I-10 Calcasieu River bridge will receive $29.4 million.
Several other projects in Acadiana and Southwest Louisiana will also be funded through this bill. They are as follows:
LA 31 from St. Martinville to LA 92-1 just outside St. Martinville city limits (patching and overlay), $2 million;
LA 108 from I-10 to LA 1256 (Ruth Street) in Sulphur (patching, cold planing, and overlay), $4.1 million
LA 99 and LA 102 from LA 3086 to LA 26, Jeff Davis Parish (milling and overlay), $1.7 million
U.S. 190 utility relocation in St. Landry Parish, $8 million
Local, state, and federal officials lauded the news.
“The entire Acadiana area and I are incredibly pleased with the announcement made by Governor Edwards at his press conference (Monday)," State Sen. Gerald Boudreaux, D-Lafayette, said. "I would like to thank the Governor, (Senate) President (Page) Cortez, (House) Speaker (Clay) Schexnayder, DOTD Secretary (Shawn) 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.”
“I’m grateful to our congressional delegation, especially Senator Bill Cassidy and his staff, for his unwavering support for our industry and his efforts to make this a reality,” DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson. “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.
“This $216 million is the next step in addressing Louisiana’s infrastructure needs,” Sen. Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, said. “We have more to do. Continuing this effort is my goal.”