Decision to bypass La. 308 with proposed interstate angers Raceland residents

Even though no money has been identified for construction and no date has been set for bidding construction projects, a series of public hearings have been held to allow citizens to comment on the latest draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) regarding the proposed southern segment of Interstate 49 from Lafayette to New Orleans.

The latest was held last Thursday in Raceland and focused on the interstate highway segment from Raceland to the Westbank Expressway near Marrero.

The most significant development in the project comes in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Plans now call for much of the project to consist of an elevated highway in order to offset possible future storm surges from storms.

Engineers at the hearing noted that the segment slated to run through the Raceland area will be built 23 feet above the current roadway to meet designated 100-year flood elevations.

In addition, the segment of highway in the Raceland area will parallel U.S. 90. Proposed plans call for the current highway to become a “feeder” or “service road” to the elevated interstate, and that has local officials and property owners in the area unhappy.

The dissatisfaction comes from plans that call for the current U.S. 90 westbound to dead end and not connect to La. 308. Should interstate travelers want to disembark from the elevated interstate to shop at the businesses along U.S. 90 in the Raceland area, the only proposed exit ramp in near the current intersection at La. 182.

“It’s simply ridiculous,” said local property owner Tommy Fletcher. “There is no way this proposed segment can be built this way. It will really hurt the businesses there and will kill any proposed development in that section of the 90 corridor in the Raceland area.”

Engineers stressed that the design is only one of several being considered.

“Remember that there is no money allocated for any of this project yet so this is still 10 to 20 years away at least,” said Lou Costa, an engineer working on the environmental impact statement. “Many things could and will probably change before the first bit of turn is turned.”

Lafourche Parish President Charlotte Randolph noted that the parish would do what it could to see that the segment in question is redesigned. “We have to make sure that U.S. 90 doesn’t dead end like they propose it to because the area it affects is primed for development,” she said.

Comments on the DEIS are being accepted through April 9 at either www.i49south.org through the “comment” link or directly to the e-mail address i49south@dmjmharris.com. All comments must include one’s name, address and the date to be a part of the official transcript.