Question About I-49 in Lafayette? (New Orleans, Shreveport: 2014, new construction, live)

[bigboyz06]

Is the Lafayette area experiencing or expected to experience a big construction boom/jump in population due to I-49? I've been reading a lot about I-49 South and really curious about this. I live about 69 miles north of Shreveport in Texarkana and our segment of I-49 is expected to be fully complete by November and we've gotten interest in our area from companies/stores because of I-49 alone.

[Innotech]

I49 is planned to be extended through Lafayette all the way to New Orleans for almost a decade now but nothing happened yet. they did widen it. There is an energy company corridor along that route but its not whats causing growth in Lafayette. Lafayette is expanding its healthcare, retail, and technology sectors rapidly. I49 development is just along for the ride.

[bigboyz06]

Ok cool. Lafayette is also the fastest growing metro in the state right?

[Innotech]

Originally Posted by bigboyz06

Ok cool. Lafayette is also the fastest growing metro in the state right?

Not sure if its the fastest but there are new construction projects announced every few days
www.developinglafayette.com

[annie_himself]

I think New Orleans outpaces each other city by a good amount. Lafayette is probably second/third.
I did hear something about the project recently though.

Here it is: Lafayette wins $304,000 federal grant for planning outside I-49 corridor

It really is a same the state doesn't prioritize it's infrastructure. But it's an ill the whole nations suffers from.

[Innotech]

Originally Posted by annie_himself

I think New Orleans outpaces each other city by a good amount. Lafayette is probably second/third.
I did hear something about the project recently though.

Here it is: Lafayette wins $304,000 federal grant for planning outside I-49 corridor

It really is a same the state doesn't prioritize it's infrastructure. But it's an ill the whole nations suffers from.

Some states are actually depaving country roads, so it could be regressing instead.

[JimLFT]

Originally Posted by bigboyz06

Is the Lafayette area experiencing or expected to experience a big construction boom/jump in population due to I-49? I've been reading a lot about I-49 South and really curious about this. I live about 69 miles north of Shreveport in Texarkana and our segment of I-49 is expected to be fully complete by November and we've gotten interest in our area from companies/stores because of I-49 alone.

Just curious, but is I-49 from Shreveport to Texarkana new roadway or is it an upgraded existing highway to interstate standards? Either way, I can definitely see a boost for your area with the greatly improved continuity.

The Lafayette portion south of the airport heading to New Orleans is the upgrading of U.S. 90 to interstate standards which is already heavily developed and traveled, so I don't see that much of a significant impact other than the increase of traffic capacity, etc. Not to say it won't lead to some positive economic benefits.

[bigboyz06]

I-49 north from Shreveport is a totally new roadway. Sections are already open but the entire highway should be open by November. Can't wait. Will make travel so much more easier.

[annie_himself]

Originally Posted by bigboyz06

I-49 north from Shreveport is a totally new roadway. Sections are already open but the entire highway should be open by November. Can't wait. Will make travel so much more easier.

Will it connect where I-49 ends now or just coming off of I-220?

[bigboyz06]

Originally Posted by annie_himself

Will it connect where I-49 ends now or just coming off of I-220?

Right now the last section that is open ends at LA 1/Market Street. Eventually it will tie into 220. The latest date for that is in 2016.