The Lafayette Metropolitan Expressway Commission

(LMEC) was formed in 2003 under Act 893 during the regular session of the Louisiana Legislature. Act 893 recognizes that public revenue, including federal funding, has not kept up with the pace of the Lafayette area’s growing transportation needs.
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Lafayette Regional Xpressway

FHWA and LADOTD issue Lafayette Regional Xpressway (LRX) Tier 1 Combined FEIS/ROD

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LADOTD) have issued a Tier 1 Combined Final Environmental Impact Statement/Record of Decision (FEIS/ROD) for the Lafayette Regional Xpressway (LRX) for the Lafayette Metropolitan Expressway Commission (LMEC). The FEIS/ROD was prepared in accordance with applicable federal laws, regulations and executive orders including the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (42 United States Code [U.S.C.] Section 4332 (2) (C)) and 49 U.S.C. 303.

The FEIS/ROD is available here and LADOTD’s website (link). Copies are also available for viewing at local libraries in the study area as listed below. The FEIS/ROD includes additions and corrections to the Tier 1 Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) which can be found on both here and LADOTD’s websites. Responses to public and agency comments received on the Tier 1 DEIS are located in Appendix A of the FEIS/ROD.

Under Title 23 U.S.C. Section 139, the FHWA has issued a single document that consists of a FEIS and ROD. Therefore, the 30-day wait/review period under NEPA does not apply to this action.

 

PUBLIC HEARING

A public meeting was held on February 28th in Lafayette. Meeting materials are available for review on the News and Multimedia page. A map has also been provided that details the wide proposed corridors that are being considered so that you can easily zoom in on locations of importance to you.

 

Lafayette Regional Xpressway (LRX) Tier 1 DEIS now available for review!

 

The Tier 1 Draft EIS addresses corridor alternatives for a controlled access toll road on new location in the Lafayette, LA area. The proposed facility would initially be four lanes with the capability to expand to six lanes. The proposed Lafayette Regional Xpressway would connect U.S. 90 south, U.S. 167 (Johnston Street) southwest of Lafayette, I-10 west of Lafayette, and I‑49 north of Lafayette. This document identifies the preferred Corridor Alternative (LRX Corridor) and the basis for its choice.

Comments on this Tier 1 Draft EIS will be accepted in writing until March 18, 2019. Comments should be sent to:

Kate Prejean at HNTB Corporation, 10000 Perkins Rowe, Suite 640, Baton Rouge, LA 70810.

The Executive Summary can be viewed here. An electronic copy of the complete DEIS document can be downloaded from the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development website at http://wwwsp.dotd.la.gov/Inside_LaDOTD/Divisions/Engineering/Environmental/Pages/default.aspx.

Hard copies are also available at the following local libraries:

North Regional Library

Lafayette Public Library

5101 North University Avenue

Carencro, LA  70520

 

Lafayette Public Library

5101 North University Avenue

Carencro, LA  70520

 

Maurice Public Library

Vermilion Parish Library

100 E Joseph

Maurice, LA  70555

 

Main Library Iberia Parish Library

445 E Main St

New Iberia, LA  70560

 

Scott Branch Lafayette Public Library

5808 Cameron St

Scott, LA  70583

 

East Regional Library Lafayette Public Library

215 Neuville Rd

Youngsville, LA  70592

 

Duson Branch Lafayette Public Library

310 Ave Au Nord

Duson, LA  70529

 

Milton Branch Lafayette Public Library

108 W. Milton Avenue

Milton, LA  70558

 

St. Martin Parish Library

201 Porter Street

St. Martinville, LA  70582

 

Lafayette Regional Expressway Rendering

Transportation needs in the Lafayette region have significantly increased in the last 50 years. If you frequently drive US 90 (Future I-49), Ambassador Caffery Parkway or Evangeline Thruway, you have experienced an increase in vehicular and truck traffic along these routes. Drivers traveling north/south on U.S. 90 and north/south on U.S. 167/Johnston Street will continue to see more traffic delays as the population continues to grow in the suburban areas of Lafayette Parish. This growth has increased travel demands leading to longer commutes for drivers and causing traffic congestion in the Lafayette region.

The Lafayette Metropolitan Expressway Commission (LMEC) is studying alternatives and potential corridors for the Lafayette Regional Xpressway (LRX), a proposed loop facility around the Lafayette region to lessen the burden on local arterial roads and streets. The LRX is also intended to effectively and expeditiously enhance the regional and national transportation system by improving system linkage, increasing capacity and accommodating transportation demand, and responding to economic development within the greater Lafayette area.