Plans announced for I-49, future evac route; Hearings set

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Public hearings are set this month on the state’s plans to build a stretch of Interstate 49 from Raceland to Westwego, along a route that gets mixed reviews in St. Charles Parish.

The state-recommended plans call for most of the interstate to follow U.S. 90 in Lafourche Parish. But I-49 will bypass the row of businesses just west of Bayou Des Allemands by heading south through Dufrene Ponds, leading some in the area to question the reasoning and others thankful that a hurricane-evacuation route is on the horizon.

After Hurricane Katrina, the state decided to make the stretch from Raceland to Westwego an elevated interstate, increasing the price $5.3 billion, state transportation officials said.

The interstate’s exact height hasn’t been determined yet, said Brendan Rush, spokesman for the state Department of Transportation and Development.

The project’s environmental-impact statement, the project’s first phase, includes recommendations for I-49’s path. If plans don’t change and federal and state money is put in place, the stretch of highway from Raceland to Westwego is expected to completed by 2020.

Three public hearings on the environmental-impact statement will be held this month. They are March 22 in Westwego, March 27 in Hahnville and March 29 in Raceland. The Raceland hearing runs from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Home, 115 Buford St. The public comment period ends April 9.

The state will collect feedback and, if needed, alter the plans, Rush said.

As the state’s recommendations stand, I-49 east from Raceland would follow U.S. 90 and include a loop for traffic turning north onto La. 1. The interstate would continue just west of U.S. 90 for a small stretch near the intersection with old La. 182.

I-49 would connect back to U.S. 90 after the intersection, then turn south just before Spahr’s Seafood restaurant. It would cut diagonally across Dufrene Ponds and over Bayou Des Allemands about 7,200 feet south of the existing bridge.

It would continue into St. Charles Parish, running south of communities and turn north for a small stretch, running along U.S. 90, before dipping back south. It would then cross over U.S. 90 near Moselia and connect with Interstate 310 in Boutte. Farther east, I-49 would follow U.S. 90’s current footprint from St. Charles Parish into Jefferson Parish.

In St. Charles Parish, local officials have asked that the route be pushed farther south of populated areas so homes and businesses wouldn’t be displaced. In all, the project would displace 15 homes and 12 businesses, according to the environmental-impact statement.

Opinions vary on how the planned route will affect St. Charles Parish.

Stephen Coffey, a clerk at a video store, said people who hunt and fish in Dufrene Ponds aren’t going to be happy about the interstate’s path.

“That’s all we have left of Des Allemands,” Coffey said, gesturing to Dufrene Ponds. Coffey, who lives in Des Allemands in St. Charles Parish, said he thinks it makes more sense, in cost and time, to upgrade U.S. 90 and increase the speed limit.

The state’s preferred route goes south because heading north or upgrading U.S. 90 on the stretch through Des Allemands would mean more rights of ways must be bought.

Further down the road, Spahr’s Seafood will also be bypassed by the interstate, but an exit is planned just west of the restaurant. Co-owner Brent Roger of Houma said he’s not worried about the interstate hurting his business. In fact, Roger said, the interstate will bring more traffic through the area and possibly more customers.

While Dufrene Ponds is wetlands, it’s become a “wasteland” because of saltwater intrusion and erosion, Roger said.

“From somebody that lives down here, we need better evacuation routes, so I fully back I-49,” Roger said.

The elevated highway probably won’t heavily affect birds or fish, said Paul Yakupzack, manager of the Mandalay and Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuges. But, he said, some people will be unhappy about the construction.

“There’s duck blinds all through Dufrene Ponds. That’s not too good for the duck blinds,” Yakupzack said. “(And) the aesthetics will probably be messed up around Dufrene Ponds.”