[StBernard] Baker lauds federal and state officials for $4.6 million grant to expand I-10 in Baton Rouge

[Westley Annis]

Baker lauds federal and state officials for $4.6 million grant to expand I-10 in Baton Rouge   

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Richard Baker, R-Baton Rouge, today lauded the federal Department of Transportation (DOT) and the state Department of Transportation and Development (LaDOTD) for dedicating $4.6 million toward an expansion of I-10 in Baton Rouge . This grant was awarded under the federal “Corridors of the Future” program.   

Rep. Baker has supported the State’s applications to the “Corridors of the Future” program, which is a component of the DOT’s Congestion Reduction Initiative.  The program was designed to accelerate the development of multi-state, and possibly multi-use, transportation corridors to reduce congestion.  The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development received $4.6 million of the total $66.2 million for fiscal year 2007.  In addition to the grant, approved projects receive expedited environmental review and other accelerated federal reviews.  The I-10 corridor application, which was submitted by California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama and Florida, was awarded a grant of $8.6 million; over half of this amount, a total of $4.6 million, will be directed to the Baton Rouge stretch of I-10 between the I-10/I-12 split to Siegen Lane.    

“This is an exciting announcement for the people of the Baton Rouge area.  Interstate congestion remains a top concern for our area, and this funding will assist DOTD as they move forward in expanding a very valuable corridor in South Louisiana ,” stated Rep. Baker.  “I commend Secretary Johnny Bradberry and DOTD for recognizing the needs of Baton Rouge , and I look forward to moving this project forward.”   

According to LaDOTD, widening this stretch of interstate will cost approximately $50-$60 million.  The department expects to take bids on the project in May.  

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