Let’s look back for a moment. It has been 5 years now – and I don’t see I-49 completed through Lafayette? Wasn’t the arguement based on the idea that the “Bridge over Lafayette” was able to be completed fairly soon? That a “Lafayette Loop” was going to take too long to build and cost more money?

Of course my argument 5 years ago was based on Economic Development of the entire community. – Yet was told – but the Overpass will provide access to downtown and to UL. Okay – so Downtown can’t handle too much more traffic as it has gentrified into a Restaurant and nightlife area – not as much the hub of business. And UL – well is it a commuter school?

No – the real reasons for the Bridge over Lafayette is finanical and political. It still makes more sense to build a highway loop – which will drive new development (not just add more traffic for present locations) – Just look at similar highway developments – not one hasn’t increased econmic development. Even our own Ambassador Caffery has shown that “build it and they will come.”

So – where is the I-49 project? – Evangeline Throughway may be considered one of the worst thoroughfares in the entire United States. It does need improvement – but build a bridge over it. That is not how you improve the community.