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House Republican Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.), Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards, and Louisiana DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) will award $135 million in Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant funding to the LA Highway 1 Improvement Project. This is the largest transportation grant awarded in the nation.
The LA 1 Improvement project includes four phases to elevate and improve highway infrastructure from U.S. Highway 90 at Mathews, La. to Port Fourchon/Grand Isle. The federal funding will be used to build 8.3 miles of elevated highway from Golden Meadow to Leeville, LA.
“After months of hard work, the Trump Administration’s award of $135 million in federal INFRA funding to elevate LA Highway 1 is a major victory for our region’s safety and America’s energy security,” said Whip Scalise. “Elevating LA 1 has long been a top priority of mine, and I have worked closely for years with DOT Secretary Elaine Chao, Governor Edwards, and local leaders to secure this vital funding.
Scalise continued, “As recently as June 8th, LA 1 was closed after becoming impassable due to flooding from Tropical Storm Cristobal. Along with being a hurricane evacuation route, LA 1 provides sole access to Port Fourchon and the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port (LOOP). Elevating LA 1 is not only essential for the protection of Louisiana families, but absolutely vital for achieving American energy dominance and safeguarding access to our nation’s oil and natural gas supply. Securing the funding to complete LA 1 is not only great news for Southeast Louisiana, but for our Nation – I applaud President Trump and Secretary Chao for recognizing this importance and for providing the critical support needed for the LA 1 project.”
“I want to thank President Trump. Secretary Chao and Congressman Steve Scalise for all of their great efforts to help secure the largest transportation grant in America. This historic investment builds on hundreds of millions of dollars in investments and secures affordable and reliable energy resources for all American families,” Congressman Garret Graves said.
Graves’ previous negotiation efforts, as a member of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and as a co-author of the FAST Act, included an amendment to prioritize roadways vital to national energy security.
“Once again, a mega-project that has been on the books for decades is moving forward thanks to the innovative funding measures utilized by this administration,” said Governor John Bel Edwards. “This is a prime example of what the state is able to accomplish when we work together and have adequate resources. Major infrastructure projects like this one, the Loyola Avenue interchange in Kenner, the I-220/Barksdale Air Force Base Interchange in Bossier City, and many others are advancing as a result of steadfast dedication of so many partners and stakeholders, including the Congressional delegation. Together, we are advancing transportation to make Louisiana a better place to live, work and visit. We will continue to see these type of accomplishments as long as we strategically position Louisiana to take advantage of available funding opportunities.”
“This grant is a huge win for Louisiana and the nation,” said Louisiana DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson. “Elevating this roadway has always been a priority but was not able to come to fruition due to a lack of funding. This would not have been possible without the 2019 legislation championed by Rep. Tanner Magee, Sen. Rick Ward, and Sen. Page Cortez and signed by the Governor. I am so very proud of the team that worked on this application. Advancing this infrastructure will strengthen Louisiana’s economy, ensuring this region continues to be a leader in servicing the nation’s oil and natural gas production.”
“This is an extraordinary day for our community, our state and the LA 1 Coalition. Now we are eager to begin construction on this critical energy infrastructure that our organization has vigorously championed for many years,” said LA 1 Coalition Executive Director Henri Boulet. “The completed elevated LA 1 will host millions of dollars of commercial activity moving in and out of Port Fourchon, Grand Isle, and our vibrant Gulf of Mexico. Whether for recreation, fishing, coastal restoration, or production of our abundant natural resources, LA 1 travelers will have a far safer and dependable route to Louisiana’s valuable working coast.”
“The awarding of INFRA funds to the LA 1 project places the final piece of the puzzle that has been put together by the State, Parish, Port Commission, and Industry Stakeholders,” said Port Fourchon Executive Director Chett Chiasson. “This is an excellent example of what hard work and perseverance by all levels of government can do and we are proud to have been a part of it. The future of our community and our economy is bright with the reliable, safe access this project will provide.”
According to an article from the Lafourche Chamber of Commerce, the construction of the elevated highway is estimated at $445 million, to be funded by an innovative public-private partnership demonstrating the significance of the LA 1 corridor to energy security, economic growth and environmental resiliency. LA DOTD and LA 1 Coalition officials consider this funding partnership to have been an advantage for the LA 1 grant request.
In addition to the $135 million federal Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant announced today, construction funds include $150 million from the State of Louisiana for the LA 1 Project in Act 443 of the 2019 Regular Legislative Session, $25 million from the Greater Lafourche Port Commission, $8.9 million from oil and gas companies and service companies, $1.2 million each from Lafourche Parish Government and the LA 1 Coalition, and $210,000 from local landowners. A balance of $13.5 million dollar over the course of construction will be solicited from industry partners. While the INFRA grant award was not funded at the total requested, the project is fully funded.
More than 1,300 trucks and heavy vehicles travel the LA 1 southern corridor daily to support port activity and energy production. The traffic and related economic activity comes to a halt multiple days a year, however, as tidal inundation forces closure of the existing at-grade highway from Leeville to Golden Meadow. Each day that Port Fourchon is open and available for commerce but LA 1 is closed due to flooding costs the U.S. $46 million in oil and gas production and $528 million in GDP, according to the project’s benefit/cost ratio. On June 7, the highway was closed for 20 hours due to Tropical Storm Cristobal, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts the existing at-grade LA 1 will be under water 22 days a year by 2030 and 201 days a year by 2047.
In 2011, Phase 1 of the LA 1 Improvement Project was completed with the opening of a 5.8-mile elevated highway from Port Fourchon to Leeville. The first segment of Phase 2 was completed earlier this year. It involved widening the curve at the on-ramp to the existing elevated highway at Leeville and constructing a 400-foot highway extension that will tie into the new elevated highway from Leeville to Golden Meadow now slated for construction starting next year.
