Regional Infrastructure Visioning Report (RIVR)
Prioritizing Acadiana's Critical Projects
While our nine-parish region is a crucial hub for Louisiana, opportunities exist to improve and enhance our infrastructure assets to better compete to attract business, talent, and, investment opportunities.
Contact
Keely Miller
Director, Infrastructure & Policy Initiatives
337.408.3673
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:
- 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
Infrastructure is critically important to Acadiana’s quality of life, the health of our regional economy, and our ability to compete with other regions to attract high-quality businesses and talent. The RIVR provides the business community’s blueprint for achieving infrastructure goals that will keep our region moving forward.Senior Retail Leasing and Development Executive, Stirling Properties
1A Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Co-Chair
The RIVR serves as a tool for Acadiana’s business and economic development community to communicate our support for priority projects, leveraging our collective voice and maximizing our advocacy efforts to make progress on our region’s critical infrastructure needs.President, FENSTERMAKER
1A Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Co-Chair
RIVR Project Progress and Related News
- Jan. 2020 - I-49 Lafayette Connector moves into next phase of planning (The Advocate)
- Jan. 2020 - Some rural Louisiana homes, hospitals still have slow internet. A $15M project aims to help. (The Advocate)
- Oct. 2019 - Airport gets approval for second TSA security checkpoint; to be installed early next year (The Advocate)
- Oct. 2019 - Final beam placed on new terminal at Lafayette Regional Airport; Opening date remains September 2021 (The Advocate)
- Sep. 2019 - Broadband Plan for Rural Louisiana Being Studied (KPEL)
- August 2019 - Progress continues on I-49 South: Ribbon cutting marks completion of Albertson Pkwy. Widening Project (KATC News)
- June 2019 - Acadiana’s I-49 South road improvement project set for $150M infusion (The Daily Advertiser)
- May 2019 - New funds earmarked for University Avenue Corridor: Downtown Main Street redevelopment retains $1 million to initiate project (The Advocate)
- May 2019 - Amid Election Year, Lawmaker Pulls Bill To Raise Gas Tax (WWNO)
- May 2019 - Governor Proclaims May I-49 South Day (I-49 South Coalition)
- May 2019 - Lafayette airport to receive $10.5 million grant from FAA for taxiway improvements
- Apr. 2019 - Three RIVR projects receive initial FEMA approval: Acadiana leaders continue regional approach to flooding: 'Water knows no boundaries' (The Advocate)
- Apr. 2019 - State DOT’s Bracing for Potential Changes to 5G Spectrum (AASHTO)
- Mar. 2019 - LUS Fiber to offer services in Carencro as part of plan to reach all cities in Lafayette Parish (The Advocate)
- Feb. 2019 - I-49 Lafayette Connector final plan may be ready in 2021 (The Advocate)
- Feb. 2019 - Evangeline Thruway Redevelopment Team requests $525K for several area projects; see full list (The Advocate)
- Live webcam of new terminal construction and conceptual flyover of design (Lafayette Regional Airport)
- Dec. 2018 - University Avenue Corridor Study finalized (LCG)
- Nov. 2018 - Higgins: Port of Morgan City Receives Additional $3M for Dredging (Rep. Clay Higgins)
- Nov. 2018 - Groundbreaking for Lafayette Regional Airport New Terminal (KLFY)
- Oct. 2018 - Congress Passes 5-Year FAA Reauthorization Act (NCSL)
- Sep. 2018 - Iberia Parish receiving $4.3 million for airport access road (KATC)
- Apr. 2018 - DOTD celebrates completion of U.S. 90 / La. 318 Interchange Project (DOTD)
- Apr. 2018 - Higgins Votes for FAA Reauthorization, Helps Secure Pro-Louisiana Amendments (Rep. Clay Higgins)
- Apr. 2018 - UL Lafayette, Acadiana Planning Commission, Teche-Vermilion Freshwater District Spearheads Project To Predict Flooding (News15)
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