Infrastructure Advocacy

While our nine-parish region is a crucial hub for Louisiana, opportunities exist to improve and enhance our region’s portfolio of infrastructure assets to better compete to attract business, talent, and investment opportunities.

Regional Infrastructure Visioning Report

1A has developed a Regional Infrastructure Visioning Report (RIVR) to identify and align on Acadiana’s most pressing infrastructure needs.

The 21 projects included in the RIVR were deemed by the regional business community as critical to economic vitality, quality of life, and regional competitiveness in Acadiana.

1A is committed to engaging on and advocating for completion of these projects.

RIVR Projects

Roads & Bridges

  • I-49 South
  • University Ave. Corridor Improvements
  • South City Parkway Extension
  • Walmart Distribution Center Access
  • Bayou Plaquemine Brulé (Pontoon) Bridge
  • Vine Street Reconstruction
  • U.S. 167 Improvements in Evangeline Parish
  • I-10 Improvements in Jeff Davis Parish
  • I-49 Midway Corridor Initiative
  • LA 94 Improvements (St. Martin)
  • LA 13 Overlay (Vermilion)
  • New LA 182 Bridge (St. Mary)
  • I-10 Service Roads in St. Martin Parish
  • New I-10 Bridge over Calcasieu River

Ports & Airports

  • Acadiana Regional Airport (ARA) Access
  • Acadiana Gulf of Mexico Access Channel (AGMAC)
  • Dredging at Port of Morgan City
  • New Terminal at Lafayette Regional Airport
  • Noise Pilot Program at ARA

Flood Mitigation

  • Regional Hydrologic and Hydraulic (H&H) Model
  • Regional Stormwater Retention/Detention)

Additional Needs

  • Rural Broadband

1A Engagement and Advocacy Projects

  • Advocated to State House and Senate members to pass legislation directing motor vehicle sales tax revenue to road and bridge projects (HB 514, 2021 Regular Session)
  • Convened meeting with Lafayette Mayor-President Josh Guillory and partners to discuss blight remediation in the Evangeline Thruway corridor
  • Signed Acadiana Planning Commission (APC) letter to Governor Edwards and state legislative and executive leaders in support of affordable, accessible, and reliable broadband in rural towns and communities in Acadiana
  • Reached out to Lafayette City-Parish Council to emphasize that both stormwater management and the Southcity Pkwy extension are economic development priorities and that both should be prioritized in the FY 2019-2020 budget
  • Wrote to U.S. Department of Transportation in support of Lafayette Consolidated Government’s BUILD Grant application for University Avenue Corridor improvements
  • Attended Senate Finance Committee hearing in support of amending HB 578 to include $150 million in dedicated funding for I-49 South (HB 578, 2019 Regular Session; became Act No. 443)
  • Wrote to U.S. Department of Agriculture in support of Acadiana Planning Commission’s Rural Development grant application to conduct a regional rural broadband infrastructure assessment
  • Joined the statewide Louisiana Coalition to Fix Our Roads (LCFOR) in support of HB 542 by Rep. Steve Carter (2019 Regular Session), which would increase Louisiana’s transportation investment and secure dedicated funding for I-49 South
  • Recommended select RIVR projects for dedicated funding during the 2019 Regular Session
  • Organized the statewide I-49 South Coalition’s annual advocacy day at the State Capitol, including meetings with State Treasurer John Schroder and DOTD, and distributed economic impact analysis findings to legislators
  • Convened 1A Transportation & Infrastructure Committee meeting with St. Landry Economic Development and Iberia Industrial Development Foundation for updates on Walmart Distribution Center access and ARA access road projects
  • Convened 1A Transportation & Infrastructure Committee meeting with LCG Public Works Director Mark Dubroc for updates on South City Parkway, University Avenue, and local drainage projects
  • Convened 1A Transportation & Infrastructure Committee meeting with DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson for an update on the Lafayette Connector and larger I-49 South corridor
  • Advocated for RIVR projects to Joint Committee on Transportation, Highways, and Public Works at DOTD’s 2018 legislative “Road Show”
  • Convened 1A Transportation & Infrastructure Committee meeting with Cox for discussion on the challenges and opportunities surrounding rural broadband
  • Wrote to Gov. Edwards in support of the Acadiana Planning Commission’s work to fund and develop a regional H&H model with Acadiana partners
  • Traveled to Acadiana Regional Airport for 1A Transportation & Infrastructure Committee update on access road and other airport projects
  • Convened 1A Transportation and Infrastructure Committee meeting with Lafayette Regional Airport for an update on the airport’s new terminal project
  • Collaborated with DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson and State Senator Page Cortez on RIVR project list and future advocacy efforts
  • Wrote to U.S. Department of Transportation in support of LCG BUILD Grant application for first phase of University Ave. redevelopment
  • Continued staff support and management of statewide I-49 South Coalition

RIVR Project Progress and Related News

I-49 South

Working with our regional partners, 1A is developing strategies to achieve Acadiana’s infrastructure priorities, including a long-term plan for completing I-49 South. Completing I-49 South is Acadiana’s top priority.

Bringing the current U.S. 90 highway up to interstate standards will greatly improve a vital national link to “America’s Energy Corridor” and provide a game-changing investment for Louisiana with substantial benefits in economic development, safety, hurricane evacuation, and traffic congestion relief.

Bridging the Digital Divide

Building a healthier, fairer economy starts with ensuring all students have equitable access to the high-quality education they need to obtain good jobs, grow businesses, or launch new companies.

Right now, that means helping students access the devices, internet connectivity, online resources, and other tools they need for remote learning.

Link & Learn is a groundbreaking public-private partnership led by One Acadiana, Love Our Schools, The Pugh Family Foundation, the William C. Schumacher Family Foundation, and Lafayette Parish School System to address the digital divide in our community.

How to Help

You can make an online donation to the Link & Learn Fund through the Community Foundation of Acadiana. Click here to learn more.

Love Our Schools Link & Learn Partners

Contact

Keely McGibboney
Director, Policy Initiatives & Governmental Affairs
keely@oneacadiana.org
337-408-3673