DOTD announces plans to pursue design-build construction for I-49 South project in St. Mary Parish
Monday, July 07, 2014 at 9:13:15 AM
JEANERETTE, La. – Today, Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development Secretary Sherri H. LeBas announced plans to move forward with the construction of I-49 South by pursuing a design-build contract for the construction of the U.S.90/La. 318 interchange in St. Mary Parish.

“The completion of I-49 South is a priority for the state,” said Secretary LeBas. “With the support of Governor Jindal, we’re able to pursue innovative ways, such as the design-build method, to move us one step closer to achieving our goal of upgrading U.S. 90 to interstate standards."

Earlier today, DOTD issued a Notice of Intent (NOI) seeking a design-build firm to construct the next section of I-49 South, the U.S. 90/La. 318 interchange in St. Mary Parish. The NOI can be viewed on DOTD’s website.

The proposed project includes upgrading the existing U.S. 90 and La. 318 signalized intersection to a full control of access, grade-separated interchange including the reconstruction of the U.S. 90 frontage roads to provide local access to La. 318. As part of the plan, the project would improve connectivity for industrial and freight transport to the sugar mill and port-related industries, as well as increase capacity and improve overall mobility.

The estimated project cost is $55M - $65M and will be funded by a combination of federal and state funds. The contract is expected to be executed in June, 2015 and completed in three years.

Additionally, in December 2013, DOTD announced the winning bid for another I-49 South design-build project in Lafayette Parish. The $57.1 million project will widen U.S. 90 along the U.S. 90/I-49 South corridor from north of Ambassador Caffery Parkway to Albertson’s Parkway in Lafayette Parish. The contract was executed in February 2014. The project is estimated to begin construction by the end of this month and completed in three years.

Since 2008, the Jindal Administration has invested $6.4 billion in more than 7,000 miles of Louisiana’s roadways. This total includes $638 million towards transportation along the U.S. 90 corridor and approximately $14 million in St. Mary Parish.

Deidra Druilhet
Public Information Officer
Office: 337-262-6133
Department of Transportation and Development