Ronald J. Dubois Sr.
May 19, 2008
Edna Besson
May 21, 2008
What effects would be felt if Louisiana Highway 1 – the lone transportation to and from Port Fourchon – was unavailable?
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is expected to launch a comprehensive study in the coming weeks to find out.
According to LA1 Coalition Executive Director Henri Boulet, the findings are expected to have significant importance in the halls of Congress when it comes to securing federal monies to complete highway upgrades.
“This report will truly be an in-depth study of what would happen to businesses and the economy of the nation should LA1 be closed for an extended period of time. Remember that 18 percent of the oil used to make the country move passes through the Lafourche corridor,” he said.
The LA1 Coalition is spearheading construction of an elevated roadway between the port and Golden Meadow.
Louisiana State University economist Dr. Loren Scott recently completed a similar study. In it, Scott reported that Port Fourchon services approximately 90 percent of all deepwater drilling activity in the Gulf of Mexico. In addition, nearly $63 billion worth of oil and natural gas is directly tied to the port, area offshore platforms and the highway system, which is used to serve all the offshore entities.
Boulet said Scott’s findings were forwarded to Homeland Security officials for use in their inquiry. He said the new study is expected to produce the same – or even more significant – findings, which could play a critical role in financing the second phase of construction of the elevated La. 1 project. Phase 2 stretches from Leeville to Golden Meadow.
Boulet said procurement of right of ways and design work on the segment is ongoing; however, no funding has been secured for the actual construction of the final segment.
This artist’s rendering shows the new fixed-level Leeville Bridge (left) alongside the existing lift-bridge, which will be removed. LA 1 Coalition officials are hoping a U.S. Department of Homeland Security study helps procure funds to complete construction of the bridge. * Photo courtesy of the LA 1 COALITION
