Gov. Edwards and DOTD announce apparent low bidder for second phase of LA 1 corridor project
Wednesday, October 06, 2021 at 3:10:27 PM
Lafourche Parish- Today, Governor John Bel Edwards and the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development announced that the second phase of the LA 1 corridor project was let today, October 6. James Construction Group, LLC. presented the apparent low construction bid of $463.6 million.
“I am excited to see this day come that we can begin another major project that has been on the books for years but has lacked funding,” said Gov. John Bel Edwards. “The completion of this project will strengthen the nation’s economic security by providing stability to the oil and gas industry that relies on the services provided along the Gulf Coast of Louisiana. This is a sign of progress and a commitment to recovery of this region.”
Phase II consists of the construction of an 8.3 mile two-lane elevated structure on LA 1 in Lafourche Parish that will connect the communities of Golden Meadow and Leeville. The design of this structure will allow it to be built using “top-down” construction methods for the protection of sensitive wetland and marshes in the surrounding areas. Other elements of this project include road work, highway lighting, ITS items and the construction of a levee T-wall. Preliminary construction could start early in 2022 with full construction beginning in the summer of 2022.
“This project would not have been possible without the nationally successful INFRA Grant DOTD was awarded, the BP Settlement funding, and the private industry contributions,” said DOTD Secretary Shawn D. Wilson, Ph.D. “Collaboration is a winning formula for delivering critical projects like this. I applaud all of the staff who worked to deliver this mega project for the state with innovation and tenacity. The existing road is vulnerable and faces tremendous uncertainty because of water intrusion and subsidence. This project will strengthen the cultural tourism offered in south Louisiana while providing a solution to a highway that could be argued as one of the most important highways in the nation. We are grateful for the Greater Lafourche Port Commission, Lafourche Parish Government and LA 1 Coalition for their efforts to move this project forward.”
This is part of a multi-phase project to provide an 18-mile elevated highway on a new location between Golden Meadow and Port Fourchon. Phase I consisted of a nine-mile elevated highway along LA 1, as well as a high-rise bridge over Bayou Lafourche. This was completed June 2012.
In addition to Capital Outlay, General Obligation Bonds, as well as local and private industry support, DOTD is able to access $150 million from HB 578/ Act 443 (2019) and $135 million from the Infrastructure For Rebuilding America (INFRA) Grant that was awarded to the state last year.
Construction projects are prioritized by road/bridge condition, urgency of improvements, type/volume of traffic, crash records, unforeseeable emergencies that caused damage, and several other factors.