Fingers crossed for next segment of LA-1
The next segment in the nearly 20-year effort to build the elevated and storm-proof Louisiana Highway 1 (LA-1) corridor from Golden Meadow to Port Fourchon could go out to bid this year.
“The state has prioritized what it wants to build first, and we feel confident this segment will go out to bid before the end of the year,” said Henri Boulet, executive director of the public-private LA-1 Coalition. He was referring to the state’s share of the $17-million project, which also includes $6.6 million in industry matching funds.
The next segment will widen—from two to three lanes—a 1,400-ft southbound stretch of the existing bridge in Leeville, where it would tie in to the new 900-ft northbound overpass included in the cumulative 2,300-ft construction project. This segment replaces the $41-million northern leg near Golden Meadow, which was on the board for funding last year, but fell victim to Louisiana’s severe budget crunch. “We’re attempting to build a smaller segment right now that involves a lower commitment from the state,” he said.
Funding for this section would leave a final price tag of around $344 million to complete the final four segments of the fully permitted elevated highway, much of which the coalition hopes will come from the federal government. Boulet said Louisiana intends to apply for funding through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) “Programs of National and Regional Significance.” The exact amount to be requested depends on Louisiana’s share of Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) production royalties, 90% of which—by state law—must be earmarked for coastal restoration, while the remaining 10% can be dedicated for infrastructure enhancements.
“The state hopes to be in a position, by the end of the year, to identify its share of OCS royalties, and then it can apply to the DOT for potentially much of the remaining cost (of the LA-1 corridor),” said Boulet. 
