Louisiana state officials are espousing the benefits of a recently initiated highway construction project focusing on Phase II of the elevated LA 1 corridor.
Gov. John Bel Edwards joined Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) Secretary Shawn D. Wilson, the LA 1 Coalition and area leaders in conducting a groundbreaking ceremony marking the project’s start, indicating the effort would elevate 8.3 miles of highway from Golden Meadow to Leeville.
“This project is a piece of a much grander vision for Louisiana, which is why we have continued to invest in infrastructure and development,” Edwards said. “This corridor will provide relief for regional transportation needs, creating a resilient structure all while stimulating economic growth. This project was a priority of this administration because of the needs to the economy of the state and the nation. I’m proud of Secretary Wilson and all the people who worked to secure the nation’s largest federal INFRA (Infrastructure for Rebuilding America) grant in 2020.”
The $135 million grant is dedicated to completing Phase II, while $150 million of construction funding is sourced from the BP Economic Damages committed in ACT 443 of the state’s 2019 Regular Legislative Session.
Upon completion, the project will yield 19.3 miles of highway elevated between Golden Meadow and Port Fourchon.
“LA 1 is not only a win for Louisiana, but for the nation,” Wilson said. “Infrastructure creates jobs and ignites economic development. More than 1,300 trucks and heavy vehicles travel the LA 1 southern corridor daily to support port activity and energy production. Elevating LA 1 solves the challenges presented when port activity comes to a halt because of flooding on the existing at-grade highway. We are advancing transportation to make Louisiana a better place to live, work and visit.”