Rep. Charles W. Boustany

Submitted exclusively to The Daily Advertiser

Southwest Louisiana’s strategic location represents one of its greatest strengths.  As a transportation hub, Lafayette and the region stand to continue its prosperous growth, but completing current projects is critical to maintaining our competitive advantage.  I-49 South must be the cornerstone for highway funding and economic development.

The Seventh District of Louisiana has great transportation needs, and we must work together to develop a comprehensive strategy to meet our region’s growing transportation demands.

I believe integrating transportation needs as part of current and future plans is vital and am committed to securing the funding needed.  Necessity, not popularity, needs to determine how these funds are distributed.  Realistic expectations for what can be completed and the work involved will help the public hold their elected officials accountable. 

We need to more effectively coordinate federal, state, and local transportation priorities in order to complete infrastructure projects in a timely manner.  In December, I asked the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to update me on the progress of transportation projects which I have secured federal funding for since 2005.  To date, FHWA’s records show over $40 million in federal monies directed to Southwest Louisiana remain unspent. 

I understand many factors impact the implementation of transportation projects; however, I remain concerned that the process is broken when federal dollars remain locked-up with no clear plan for moving forward.  Since December, I have met with Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development Secretary Ankner and local leaders to develop a realistic set of goals.  Now, as the state legislature is set to meet, our region’s state delegation must build on this progress.

Scarce infrastructure dollars are lost when projects are delayed or never get started because we lack a shared vision and common set of priorities.  As Congress begins work on the 2009 Highway Bill, I want to make sure that the federal, state, and local efforts are better coordinated.  Projects must be prioritized to ensure federal dollars are spent efficiently and expeditiously.  I look forward to working together to fund infrastructure in Southwest Louisiana.