I-49 LAFAYETTE CONNECTOR
ACADIANA’S PATH FORWARD
*Conceptual design: not actual rendering
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About the Project
The I-49 Lafayette Connector is a future 5.5-mile segment of highway that will extend I-49 from I-10 to the Lafayette Regional Airport. It is a critical transportation link for Lafayette and the state as a whole. The I-49 Lafayette Connector is a key component of I-49 South, which will function as a critical hurricane evacuation route, complete a major energy and trade corridor to the nation and enhance safety by providing new interstate connectivity within the Lafayette region and to New Orleans. For more information about the project and planning, visit the Project Overview.
Our Philosophy
The I-49 Lafayette Connector project is an initiative rooted in community collaboration. It presents the opportunity to revitalize and beautify Lafayette’s gateway, strengthen infrastructure and improve safety and multi-modal transportation, all while preserving the community’s cherished, historic and business districts. It truly represents Acadiana’s path forward.
Project Update
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD), along with national, state, regional and local partners, are moving forward with the Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS) process for the I-49 Lafayette Connector Project.
In 2019, the former CSS Community Working Group (CWG) and Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) combined into the Lafayette Connector Advisory Group (LCAG) to provide a forum for the coordinated community and technical input for the CSS process. This process focuses on gathering input from key stakeholders about various design features to help develop the I-49 Lafayette Connector Design Guidelines.
In 2020 and 2021, the I-49 Lafayette Connector Advisory Group participated in introductory meetings and workshops. The workshops allowed LCAG members to review elements of the Connector, including the mainline structure, signature bridge, gateway elements, and joint understructure use. Neighborhood and public meetings will continue in 2024. More information from the meetings can be found in the Project Library.
The LCAG is one of several formats used for collecting feedback. DOTD is actively seeking input from other stakeholders and the community at large. Planning for neighborhood and public meetings is already underway.
To involve more stakeholders in the process, DOTD has created the I-49 Virtual Meeting website, a virtual reality “room” that allows the community to envision design proposals for the Connector. The website features a VR scale model of the 5.5-mile I-49 Connector. The immersive experience allows viewers to see how structural components like walls, barriers, and piers could look with different proposed designs.
Stay Informed
DOTD Launches Virtual Reality Website of I-49 Lafayette Connector
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD), along with national, state, regional and local partners, are moving forward with the ...
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Update: DOTD advises motorists of field testing along US 167 The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development advises that crews will ...
Read MoreI-49 Lafayette Connector
Acadiana's Path Forward