I-49 South Coalition Participating in State Planning Conference
The I-49 South Coalition is participating in a panel discussion on the Lafayette Connector at the annual Louisiana Chapter American Planning Association Conference in Houma on March 4th.
The theme of the conference is “Planning on the Edge” – exploring coastal restoration and resiliency, where the edges of urban and rural lines may be blurred, and how the edge of technology applies to planning. The keynote speaker is Jeff Carney, Director of the LSU Coastal Sustainability Studio and Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture.
David Mann, Chairman of the I-49 South Coalition, is moderating a panel discussion titled “Interstates and Urban Fault Lines.” Panelists include Carlee Alm-Labar, Director of Planning and Zoning at Lafayette Consolidated Government, Stephen Wallace, Principal at Stantec, and Harry Weiss, VP of Urban Revitalization and Development at One Acadiana.
The session will discuss the planning process that is currently underway for the Lafayette Connector, which includes the conceptual facility design, incorporating Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS) principles, as well as a TIGER-funded community planning scope.
“The I-49 South Coalition is proud to be a sponsor and participant in the 2016 Louisiana APA Conference,” said David Mann. “The completion of I-49 South and the Lafayette Connector is vital for Louisiana and its transportation needs, and this is a great opportunity to talk about the state’s top megaproject with planners from all over the state.”
The Lafayette Connector is a key part of the I-49 South Coalition’s drive to complete I-49 South from Lafayette to New Orleans. More than 100 of the planned 160 miles of I-49 South are complete or currently under construction. Bringing the current U.S. 90 highway up to interstate standards will greatly improve a vital national link while providing substantial benefits in terms of economic development, safety, evacuation, and traffic congestion relief.