Regional Infrastructure Visioning Report (RIVR)

 

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.

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:

 

1A Engagement and Advocacy:

• 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