(The Center Square) — The Capital Area Road and Bridge District’s planned project for Interstate 49 expansion and a new Mississippi River bridge in Baton Rouge remains on track despite shifts in scheduling, funding and new federal environmental requirements.
Project Manager Christina Botros Brignac confirmed that the National Environmental Policy Act process is fully funded.
The Legislature recently diverted vehicle sales tax revenue, though current funding sits at just over $390 million and is secure, leaving the lawmakers ample time to find new ways to fund the projects.
Opposition to the project stems largely from environmental and historical concerns. Critics argue that the proposed pathway, known as E11-IV, could harm local ecosystems, historic sites, and wildlife habitats.
The proposed route begins at Louisiana Highway 30 in East Iberville, just south of the University Club subdivision. It runs upriver, skirting the Georgia Gulf and Shintech facilities on the west bank, before connecting to Louisiana Highway 1.
Maryland-based Old Growth Forest Network, claimed in October 2023 that the project could harm Louisiana’s forestry.
“The three proposed routes (marked in blue) for the new Mississippi River South Bridge. Route E-11-IV for Project MRB South GBR: LA 1 to LA 30 runs through the A.E. LeBlanc Forest property (marked in black) and would remove several centuries-old cypress trees. Construction would also permanently alter the thriving intact forest ecosystem,” Old Growth wrote in a news release.
Lara Comb, A Plaquemines parish resident, expressed concerns about habitat destruction, noting the pathway bisects a 250-year-old settlement where her descendants still reside.
“The 600 foot wide path would clear cut 150 acres of wooded land,” Comb said. “The wooded land is home to an old growth cypress forest state natural area and at least 12 species of greatest conservation need.”
Comb said that the habitat is home to animals including the bald eagle, the alligator snapper, big brown bat, little blue heron, loggerhead shrike, osprey, Rose Yates spoonbill, swallowtail kite, white-breasted nuthatch, wood stork and the woodcock.
“Should this site be within or adjacent to the final footprint of this project, irreversible harm would be caused to the ecological integrity of this at-risk wetland natural community and the species that utilize it,” the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries wrote in October of 2023.
Opponents also raised issues about the transparency of the Planning and Environmental Linkage process.
“I am especially curious why all comments we’ve provided have not been included in the PEL,” Lydia Hydell said, questioning its validity.
Harvey Stern, referencing the area’s historical significance as part of the Louisiana Purchase, emphasized the importance of public feedback collected over the past three years. He worried the Capital Area Road and Bridge District were failing to ensure necessary materials were publicly available on the commission’s website.
“The NEPA documentation must be made public. For NEPA to go forward with credibility, all documents need to be accessible,” Stern said. He argued that the sensitive ecological nature of the area demands a full Environmental Impact Statement, rather than stopping with a Finding of No Significant Impact.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and federal officials have yet to determine whether an environmental assessment or a full impact statement will be required. Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development Joe Donahue, a federal representative, assured the public that all alternatives would be reviewed thoroughly.
“We may not see results of these efforts in real time, but your positions will be reflected as we move forward,” he said.
Kara Moree, Project Manager for Atlas, emphasized that all public comments will be incorporated into the NEPA phase, though pre-NEPA studies did not necessarily include historical information.
To gather public input, an online comment portal, voicemail database, and upcoming public meetings have been established, Moree said. Officials stressed that federal agencies retain authority over NEPA compliance.
Despite concerns about funding, officials expressed confidence that the project will move forward.
One Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development official wondered if the constitutional amendments tied to Landry’s tax reforms could impact long-term funding.
The final environmental approval will include the selected alternative after considering all public feedback. Officials anticipate the project will bring significant relief to State Route 1 traffic, with tolling under consideration as a financing mechanism once construction begins.
“The NEPA process requires considering all alternatives,” Brignac said, ensuring the public that every step adheres to federal guidelines.
