I-20/220 interchange gets fast track from Gov. Edwards

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Gov. John Bel Edwards announced at a news conference today that the Interstate 20/I-220 interchange is an urgent priority for the state’s infrastructure and that the funding has been secured to expedite the project.

“We have a four-star nuclear command right next to the interstate, and we have no access to the base from that interstate,” Edwards said. “That’s the No. 1 priority we have heard form the Air Force. We’re going to fix that because it’s the right thing to do.”

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Bossier City Mayor Lo Walker was in attendance at the news conference in Baton Rouge.

“We all recognize that the nuclear mission is the most important military mission,” Walker said. “This is an unprecedented opportunity to do something good for our nation. It’s a great thing we are doing for our nation and a great thing for our community.”

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U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson has shown his support for this project in Washington. In 2017, Johnson sent a formal letter to the House Appropriations Committee chairman and ranking members summarizing the importance of this project.

“Since coming to Congress, I have been working hard to ensure Louisiana’s needs are met for this project and others, as we all recognize this is a wise and strategic use of our federal taxpayer dollars,” Johnson said. “We are grateful for the more than 10 years of work that many leaders at Barksdale and in Bossier Parish have invested to make this construction possible. It is a necessary step for the continued success of Barksdale Air Force Base, and I look forward to continuing our efforts on the federal level to ensure its completion.”

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“We are glad to bring this project to fruition,” said State Sen. Ryan Gatti, who worked with Edwards to get the project on the priority list. “This will not only benefit the people on the base, but the businesses and communities that support the base as well. We are excited to see it move forward.”

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Altimus said the overall cost of the project is $90 million, of which 20 percent — $18 million — must come from local government participation. He said $12 million would come from NLCOG/MPO, to be paid out in $1 million installments for 12 years. The remaining $6 million will be split between the Bossier Parish Police Jury and the City of Bossier City. The state asked that each pay a minimum of $250,000 per year over 12 years.

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