While we await the progress of the I-49 Lafayette Connector Supplemental EIS/Conceptual Design process, another major project reached a critical milestone.
LADOTD
just announced that the Tier 1 Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed tollway loop around Lafayette, the Lafayette Regional (e)Xpressway (LRX) has been published for public review and comment; and that a Public Hearing on the DEIS has been scheduled for Feburary 28th.
This covers the proposal for a tollway loop around the northwestern/western/southwestern/southern perimeter of greater Lafayette, extending from I-49 near Carencro to I-10 west of Scott, to US 167 around Maurice between Lafayette and Abbeville, to US 90/Future I-49 South just north of New Iberia.
The recommended Preferred Alternative (Outer Corridor + Common Corridor 1) generally skirts the outer perimeter of Lafayette, crossing through Lafayette, Iberia, Vermilion, and Acadia parishes. The proposal also includes an extension across US 90 generally overlaying the LA 88 (Coteau Road) interchange to LA 182 south of Cade which would serve a future expansion of Acadiana Regional Airport.
The initial proposal is for a 4-lane (2x2) tollway with intermittent frontage roads using closed ETC/transponder/license taking bill collection methods; with future upgradability to 6-lane (3x3) service. Major system interchanges would be built at I-49 North, I-10, US 167, and US 90/Future I-49 South; local interchanges yet to be determined would also be built.
The original plans also called for a northeast quadrant extending from I-49 North to I-10 east of Lafayette, but that has been eliminated for this study.
A pic of all the proposed LRX options, including the Preferred Alternative, appears below.

Linkage for downloading the DEIS are also available at both the LADOTD site (
here) and the LRX official site (
here).
Personally, I would love to have them expand this to include incorporating the widely debated Teche Ridge East Bypass in St. Martin Parish and the northeastern quadrant to complete a full loop around Lafayette....but I want the Connector and US 90 to be fully upgraded to Interstate standards FIRST. The LRX needs to be built as a compliment to, not a replacement for, the Connector/US 90 upgrade.