Coalition urges completion of I-49 South at annual DOTD Road Show

Coalition Chairman David Mann speaks at 2018 DOTD Road Show

LAFAYETTE – The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) hosted their annual public “Road Show” on Thursday, October 18. Joint Transportation, Highways, & Public Works Committee members discussed and received public feedback on current state highway construction priorities.

I-49 South Coalition Chairman David Mann thanked DOTD and the Legislature for continued progress on the I-49 South corridor, and stressed the importance of bringing the remaining portions of U.S. 90 up to interstate standards.

Read Chairman Mann’s full statement below:

I-49 South Coalition Statement

Joint Highway Priority Construction Committee

October 18, 2018 | 1:30 PM

LCG City Hall Council Chambers

  • I’m David Mann, Chairman of the I-49 South Coalition – a statewide coalition to build on decades of continued efforts to make I-49 South a reality
  • The Coalition would like to thank DOTD and members of this committee for continued progress on I-49 South
  • We are excited to soon celebrate completion of the Albertson Parkway project in Broussard
  • We also look forward to upcoming projects, including the Ambassador Caffery and Verot School Road interchanges in Lafayette Parish and the Railroad Overpass project in Iberia Parish
  • Completing I-49 South will benefit Louisiana by improving safety and hurricane evacuation capabilities, reducing traffic congestion, and supporting economic development
  • In fact, a 2017 economic impact analysis demonstrated the following statewide benefits of completing I-49 South:
    • 6,000 new jobs created statewide by 2044
    • $9.7 billion increase in Louisiana’s GDP over a 21-year period following construction
    • 27.2 million trip hours saved by drivers by 2044
  • However, in order to realize these benefits, we must address our state’s mounting transportation funding backlog
  • As you know, Louisiana faces a backlog of nearly $14 billion in needs on our existing road system, with billions more needed for new priority megaprojects, including completion of I-49 South
  • The I-49 South Coalition urges our Legislature to find a solution that ensures the future of I-49 South and other critical transportation improvements in Louisiana
  • Thank you for your time today, and your continued work to meet our state’s infrastructure needs