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Four decades later: Lafayette ‘one step closer’ to I-49 Connector
Posted on 7/6/26 at 2:01 pm
Posted on 7/6/26 at 2:01 pm
quote:
July 2, 3:57 pm
The project to complete I-49 through Lafayette moved a step forward this week, as officials signed off on a draft of a new environmental study, the second in the project’s four-decade history.
The supplemental environmental impact statement documents the potential impact of the project on the surrounding area.
The original environmental impact statement (EIS) was completed in 2002, but a supplemental statement was needed after the highway’s alignment shifted during resumed design activities that kicked off in 2014.
“The DSEIS is a major milestone for the I-49 Connector and brings Lafayette one step closer to delivering one of the most important infrastructure projects in our community’s history,” Mayor-President Monique Boulet said in a press release.
Federal approval, assigned through a document called a record of decision, is still needed to complete the updated plan. Even with these necessary approvals, the biggest obstacle remaining for the project is funding. The price of the 5.5-mile stretch of connector has ballooned to $2 billion, from an original estimate of roughly $900 million.
The project has advanced in fits and starts since it began in the late 1980s. It’s weathered a federal lawsuit and pushback from locals who say it could hurt the urban neighborhoods it will traverse.
The Boulet administration applied for a $30 million federal grant to fund the Kaliste Saloom Road interchange with U.S. 90, for which DOTD has already committed $20 million.
If Lafayette were to win the grant, the administration says that intersection could quickly be shovel-ready, clearing the way for construction to start on a key intersection of the project, while waiting on funding for the main sections.
LINK
It'll never be ready in time.
But hey, good news is I guess they figured out how to make it not negatively affect the promising residential development along Evangeline Thruway. Now that area can continue to progress and thrive as the Connector project begins.
This post was edited on 7/6/26 at 2:07 pm
13
Posted on 7/6/26 at 2:05 pm to ragincajun03
If they haven't finished it yet, they never will. It has become louisianas version of I-10 in Beaumont.
This post was edited on 7/6/26 at 2:06 pm
Posted on 7/6/26 at 2:06 pm to ragincajun03
The Loop will happen before I-49.
Posted on 7/6/26 at 2:08 pm to ragincajun03
quote:
locals who say it could hurt the urban neighborhoods it will traverse.
I'm sure the tattoo parlors and burned out burger king will be sorely missed.
Posted on 7/6/26 at 2:10 pm to ragincajun03
quote:
Four decades later: Lafayette ‘one step closer’ to I-49 Connector
Holy shite. I moved away in 2006 and you guys still haven't finished it? The throughway was horrible when I left. I can only imagine it now.
Posted on 7/6/26 at 2:13 pm to UtahCajun
quote:
you guys still haven't finished it?
Finished it?!? We ain't even started it yet
quote:
The throughway was horrible when I left. I can only imagine it now.
They grinded all the high spots flat not too long ago, so it's less rough these days. Progress I think they call it.
Posted on 7/6/26 at 2:13 pm to UtahCajun
quote:there’s a traffic light every 100’ and none of them are synchronized
The throughway was horrible when I left. I can only imagine it now.
Posted on 7/6/26 at 2:14 pm to UtahCajun
quote:
I moved away in 2006 and you guys still haven't finished it? The throughway was horrible when I left. I can only imagine it now.
Oddly enough, the stretch from the railroad track to University Avenue/Surrey St. has somehow remained exactly the same.
Posted on 7/6/26 at 2:24 pm to ragincajun03
Shreveport has been waiting on an I-49 connector since 1996. It will be interesting to see which one (if either) gets completed first. My bet is that it will be Lafayette.
Posted on 7/6/26 at 2:39 pm to ragincajun03
is it still on the books for 49 to eventually go to New Orleans?
Posted on 7/6/26 at 2:41 pm to ragincajun03
This needs to hurry up for real. How else am I supposed to get to that new water park being built in Iowa?
Posted on 7/6/26 at 2:43 pm to ragincajun03
Fat chance it will ever be fully funded. That's what happens when you wait so long to do it.
Posted on 7/6/26 at 2:43 pm to ragincajun03
You can't just wipe out those Historic Homes by Burger King!
About due for new Future Corridor signs
About due for new Future Corridor signs
This post was edited on 7/6/26 at 2:47 pm
Posted on 7/6/26 at 2:44 pm to I-59 Tiger
That would be my dream. 75 rippin' MPH unimpeded from NOLA all the way through Shreveport.
Posted on 7/6/26 at 2:47 pm to ragincajun03
LADOT is a fricking embarrassment.
Zero leadership, no accountability, and decades of underfunding to boot.
Mississippi is kicking our arse.
Zero leadership, no accountability, and decades of underfunding to boot.
Mississippi is kicking our arse.
Posted on 7/6/26 at 2:55 pm to ragincajun03
I can almost understand the delay through Lafayette.
However, what’s delaying converting Hwy 90 into I-49 from Broussard to I-310?
However, what’s delaying converting Hwy 90 into I-49 from Broussard to I-310?
Posted on 7/6/26 at 3:16 pm to FortunateSon
quote:
Shreveport has been waiting on an I-49 connector since 1996. It will be interesting to see which one (if either) gets completed first. My bet is that it will be Lafayette.
There’s not an existing roadway for the last 2-3 miles of the Shreveport connector. At least there’s already 10 miles of I-49 through Shreveport.
Yes, the north and south sections are not connected, but at least the existing roadway connects to I-20, 3132, and I-220.
That Lafayette corridor of Highway 90 / Evangeline Thruway from I-10 to New Iberia is the worst major thoroughfare in the state.
Posted on 7/6/26 at 3:21 pm to cgrand
quote:
there’s a traffic light every 100’ and none of them are synchronized
False. They are synchronized. Synchronized to make you stop at every single one
Posted on 7/6/26 at 3:28 pm to ragincajun03
Not being mean, but explain to me why taxpayers across the country should pay billions for a 50 year old project in the 133th largest metro area in the country to improve a highway to save a few people maybe, hopefully 5-7 minutes going through the area. Its not like congestion is stifling the region, although I get the annoyance.
It would be different if the Lafayette region and the State of Louisiana could contribute significantly, but the state is apparently broke.
I'm all for investing in local infrastructure, but this seems like it should be far down the line of statewide priorities.
It would be different if the Lafayette region and the State of Louisiana could contribute significantly, but the state is apparently broke.
I'm all for investing in local infrastructure, but this seems like it should be far down the line of statewide priorities.
Posted on 7/6/26 at 3:39 pm to Ghost of Colby
quote:
However, what’s delaying converting Hwy 90 into I-49 from Broussard to I-310?
The little speed towns along the way.
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