LA1 highway project enters Phase 1

Construction is under way on the highway’s southern access ramp.

The existing LA1 is prone to flooding because of subsidence and coastal erosion, but the new road will have an elevation of 6.9 m (22.5 ft) to offset this problem. The new, elevated highway is scheduled to be complete in 2011.

Port Fourchon services about 18% of Am-erica’s supply of crude oil and natural gas and handles more than 75% of the current oil and gas production in the Gulf of Mexico. Some 675 MMbbl of crude move through the port every year. And more than 600 offshore oil and gas platforms lie within a 64-km (40-mi) radius of Port Fourchon. In addition, according to the LA1 Coalition, studies estimate that 58% of Louisiana’s offshore drilling over the next 30 years will be in the port’s service area.

“LA1 is the road to Louisiana’s economic stability and the path to America’s energy security,” says Johnny Bradberry, DOTD secretary. “LA1 is also vital for the local economy and the safety of residents.”

Each day, nearly 1,300 oversized trucks traverse a 48-km (30-mi) section of LA1 toward Port Fourchon. The new highway will increase safety and convenience for more than 35,000 residents and workers who travel the road daily. More importantly, this road is the only hurricane evacuation route.

“The taking of this bid is a strategically important step in securing access to America’s energy corridor,” says Henri Boulet, executive director of the LA1 Coalition. “We believe that this highway project is critical to the energy security for this country,” adds Falgout.

Project Description

I. Golden Meadow to Port Fourchon, 22 km (13.6 mi):
A new four-lane, fully access controlled, elevated highway between Golden Meadow and Fourchon, Louisiana (Louisiana Hwy. 3090), including interchanges. This section of highway will be elevated above the 100-year base flood elevation, and will be built as two separate, 13-m (43-ft) wide spans.

II. Leeville Bridge, 7 km (4.4 mi):

A two-lane bridge with a 91.4-m (300-ft) horizontal and 22.25-m (73-ft) vertical clearance over Bayou Lafourche and Boudreaux Canal at Leeville. Distance includes interchanges and connector roads.

III. Larose to US 90, 31.4 km (19.5 mi):

A four-lane at-grade highway from Larose to Valentine, including fixed-structure overpasses over the Intracoastal Waterway at Larose and over Bayou Lafourche at Valentine, and a four-lane, at-grade highway from Valentine to US 90. Two alternate routes were considered; Alternate 1 was deemed to have the least environmental impact, while still providing access to a proposed evacuation route north of US 90 to I-10.

IV. Port Fourchon to Grand Isle, 13 km (8 mi):

Highway upgrades and widening of existing two-lane highway.

Phased Implementation (including estimated capital cost):

Phases 1A, 1B and 1C ($349 million):

• Construction of a two-lane elevated highway south of Leeville to LA 3090 at Port Fourchon, 8.5 km (5.3 mi)
• Construction of a fixed-span, high-level, two-lane bridge over Bayou Lafourche at Leeville, and the interchanges and connector roads immediately north and south of Leeville, providing independent utility and project benefit, 7 km (4.4 mi)
• Pre-construction began: 2003
• Construction period: 2006 - 2011.

Phase 2 ($250 million):

• Construction of a two-lane elevated highway from Golden Meadow to Leeville, 13.4 km (8.3 mi)
• Pre-construction begins: 2007
• Construction period: 2009-2013.

Phase 3 ($340 million):

• Construction of a four-lane at-grade highway from Larose to US 90, including overpasses over Intracoastal Waterway and Bayou Lafourche, 31.4 km (19.5 mi).

Phase 4 ($582 million):

• Construction of additional two lanes of elevated highway from Golden Meadow to Port Fourchon
• Highway widening and upgrades from Port Fourchon to Grand Isle, 13 km (8 mi).