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Project Profiles

LA 1 Improvements


Location	Leeville, Louisiana
Project Sponsor / Borrower	Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LADOTD) Louisiana Transportation Authority (LTA)
Program Areas
Fiscal Year Approved	Fiscal Year 2005
Mode	Toll Highway
Description	The LA 1 Improvements project will provide an 18-mile, fully access controlled, elevated toll highway on a new location between Golden Meadow (LA 3235) and Port Fourchon (LA 3090). The existing LA 1 requires replacement because of subsidence, erosion, and frequent storm damage. In the event of hurricanes, it is the only highway evacuation route for Port Fourchon and Grande Isle, both of which suffered extensive damage from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. The project is being constructed in phases: Phase 1A: Fourchon to Leeville Bridge - Approximately 7 miles, 40-foot wide, two-lane elevated highway south of Leeville Bridge to LA 3090 in Port Fourchon. (Under construction) Phase 1B: Leeville Bridge Approaches and Connector - Two-lane interchanges and connector roads north and south of the Leeville Bridge. (Open to traffic) Phase 1C: Leeville Bridge Replacement - Two-lane, fixed-span, high-level bridge (Tomey J. Doucet Bridge) over Bayou Lafourche. (Open to traffic) Phase 1D: Customer service center, kiosk network, open-road tolling equipment and intelligent transportation systems (ITS). (Completed) Phase 2: Approximately 9 miles, two-lane, elevated highway from Leeville to Golden Meadow (LA 3235). (Preliminary Engineering and right-of-way have been purchased)
Cost	Phase 1: $371.6 million Phase 2: >$300 million
Funding Sources	Total Phase 1 cost is $371.6 million : Senior revenue bonds - $70.4 million TIFIA Loan - $66 million Federal Formula Funds - $42.6 million Federal Earmarks - $81.6 million State TTF - $12.9 million State GO Bonds - $60 thousand State General Fund Surplus - $63 million CIAP Funds - $35 million
Project Delivery / Contract Method	Phase 1: One design contract and four design-bid-build-construction contracts.
Private Partner	None
Project Advisors / Consultants	Wilbur Smith Associates - Traffic & Revenue URS To USDOT TIFIA JPO: TIFIA Financial Advisor: Scully Capital Services, Inc TIFIA Legal Advisor: Ballard Spahr
Lenders	Bondholders, USDOT TIFIA
Duration / Status	Construction began March 2006. Phases 1B, 1C, and 1D are complete. All of Phase 1 reached substantial completion in December 2011.
TIFIA Credit Assistance	Direct Loan: $66 million All project debt will be repaid from toll revenues. The financial plan shows TIFIA principal and interest payments beginning in 2013 with final payment in 2040.
Financial Status / Financial Performance	TIFIA credit agreement signed May 2005 Along with the $95 million in senior revenue bonds issued at the time of the closing of the TIFIA loan, LTA issued $66 million of low interest Bond Anticipation Notes (BANs) that matured in 2009. When the BANs became due, LTA drew down the TIFIA Loan to repay the BANs. The total amount of the TIFIA Loan, $66 million, was drawn in August, 2009.
Innovations	The project is designed so that major portions can be constructed using "end-on-end" construction methods to protect sensitive wetlands and marshes. A movable truss and crane system obviates the need for conventional temporary haul roads and construction pads.
Related Links / Articles	Project Website LA 1 Coalition GeauxPass Toll Information TOLLROADSnews Article (Aug. 17, 2009)
Contacts	William Huffstettler Wilber Smith LA1@wilbursmith.com