U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) spoke last week with U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao about his state’s Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant application for LA Highway 1.
Scalise, the House Minority Whip, said he emphasized the importance of Highway 1 and asked for her support of the application. Since January, Scalise has met with Gov. John Bel Edwards about the application. Since then, Scalise has met with or spoken with Sec. Chao three other times to discuss the grant application.
“Today, I had another very positive conversation with Secretary Chao to reiterate the national importance of Louisiana’s LA Highway 1 and to continue advocating for her support of our application for the federal INFRA grant to elevate LA 1,” said Whip Scalise. “Elevating LA 1 has long been a top priority of mine, and I will continue working with Governor Edwards and other leaders to advance our shared priority of securing federal funding for the LA Highway 1 project. Governor Edwards and I are in complete agreement that elevating LA 1 is a top priority, and the completion of this critical infrastructure project will strengthen Louisiana’s economy while also strengthening America’s energy security.”
If awarded, the grant would help the state to fund 8.3 miles of elevated highway from Golden Meadow to Leeville, LA in Lafourche Parish. A four-phase project, the LA 1 Improvement Project would improve a two-lane highway that is the only roadway supporting Port Fourchon – America’s busiest intermodal energy port. Additionally, it provides access to the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port.
The locations along the highway service more than 16 percent of America’s domestic crude oil production and 4 percent of its natural gas production. The highway also serves as access to 20 percent of the country’s seafood production.
The highway also provides access to Grand Isle, Louisiana’s only inhabited barrier island, as well as other eco-tourism spots.
The Greater Lafourche Port Commission originally applied for the INFRA grant in 2017.
“Completing LA 1 now is more important than ever before, as this necessary infrastructure investment will help both our state and the national economy recover,” said Governor Edwards. “With the unprecedented and innovative commitment I signed into law last year using BP settlement dollars to leverage federal and private investment, I am confident that with the help of the federal government, we can get this project moving. My administration and DOTD appreciates the collaboration with our Congressional, Legislative, and stakeholder leaders on this and other infrastructure projects that are moving forward.”