(The Center Square) − Hyundai company executives raised a series of concerns they say must be addressed before construction moves forward on their steel mill in Ascension Parish, including industrial safety near CF Industries and road infrastructure.
In a May letter to Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois, Hyundai executives thanked state officials for their hospitality during a recent site visit but flagged several “key issues” that they said are critical to “the successful execution of our project and the long-term sustainability of the RiverPlex Megapark.”
Hyundai’s top concern centered on the proximity of CF Industries’ Donaldsonville ammonia plant, which experienced an incident in December 2022 that led to local evacuations and road closures. The company’s executive chairman called for a comprehensive park-wide emergency response and industrial risk mitigation framework, to be formalized in the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the state.
Bourgeois, in her written response, said Louisiana already has extensive emergency protocols in place through the Department of Environmental Quality, the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, and Ascension Parish officials. She noted that the parish manages more than 20 chemical facilities along the east bank of the Mississippi River and “has never had an issue responding to an emergency.”
The automaker raised alarm about road infrastructure capacity at RiverPlex, noting that both Hyundai and CF Industries will be developing sites on overlapping timelines. The company urged the state to reassess its traffic impact study, accelerate construction of the main access roads, and expand them to at least four lanes by September 2026.
LED said it is now working with the Department of Transportation and Development and local governments to update traffic models and review options to speed up the first phase of road improvements. Bourgeois said the agency is evaluating long-term expansion to four lanes and “reviewing all available funding and procurement mechanisms” to meet construction targets.
Bourgeois said several steps must be completed before the state can act on Hyundai’s requests, including agreements with Entergy to begin studies to determine how much power a new facility will need.
“Until these are completed, we are limited in our ability to respond to the above concerns,” Bourgeois wrote. “We are honored to support this transformative investment and look forward to continued collaboration in making the RiverPlex Megapark a model of innovation, safety, and sustainability.”
The Louisiana Department of Transportation told The Center Square that its involvement “is limited to the LA 1 overpass over the railroad track,” which is the fourth phase of the project.
Louisiana Economic Development, on the other hand, will handle the majority of the upgrades in coordination with the parish.
