Man reportedly accused of Winfrey extortion from Louisiana
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January 12, 2007THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Federal officials have approved a $137 million bid to elevate a stretch of Louisiana Highway 1, a low-lying road that could cripple oil imports if it washed out during a hurricane.
The narrow two-lane highway is the state’s only route directly leading to the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port, which serves as the delivery point for about 14 percent of the nation’s foreign oil.
“Few people understand the significance of this corridor in the ability to access the Gulf of Mexico by a vehicle,” said Ted Falgout, director of Port Fourchon. “It doesn’t exist anywhere else.”
The winning bid by Baton Rouge-based James Construction Group LLC was accepted earlier by the state Department of Transportation and Development. James Construction is a joint venture between Traylor Bros. Inc. of Evansville, Ind. and Massman Construction Co. of Kansas City.
The project consists of elevating a 5.3 mile stretch of the road about 22 feet off the ground. The project is expected to be completed in 2011, officials said.
