Public hearing set on Ambassador Caffery extension
Last Modified: Monday, August 13, 2012 11:08 AM
LAFAYETTE (AP) — The public will have a chance this week to comment on plans for a 10-mile northern extension of Ambassador Caffery Parkway. Officials say project will open a large rural area for development in northern Lafayette Parish.
The Advocate reports a public hearing is set for Wednesday on the extension, which has an estimated cost of $118 million. The road would stretch a four-lane extension of Ambassador Caffery from its end near Interstate 10 to Interstate 49 near Carencro.
Work on the state project, assuming funding is secured, could still be several years away, but officials are now trying to identify the path the road might take.
The discussions come after the southern extension of Ambassador Caffery was completed in 2010, pushing the four-lane six miles from Verot School Road to U.S. 90 near Broussard.
The proposed northern extension would pass through portions of Carencro, Scott and unincorporated Lafayette Parish and complete a major north-south traffic corridor for the parish.
"I look at that as a miniloop," said Scott Mayor Purvis Morrison.
Morrison said he expects the new road would be heavily used and could spur economic development on the
At the public hearing Wednesday, officials with the state Department of Transportation and Development, Lafayette city-parish government and the Federal Highway Administration will present information on the proposed route and alternative routes as well as discuss the need and impact of the project.
The main route under consideration cuts through a mostly undeveloped area of the parish, but about 40 structures would have to be relocated: 17 homes, 2 businesses and 21 mobile homes, according to information from DOTD.
DOTD estimates spending about $16 million to acquire rights of way for the road and to relocate homes and businesses.
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