Here’s a recap on the DOTD Road Show and highway construction priorities

LAFAYETTE, La. () — The annual Louisiana DOTD Road Show was held Thursday at the Lafayette Consolidated Government City Hall to review highway construction priorities for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.

The roadshow was put on by the Joint Transportation, Highways and Public Works Committee for the Acadiana Region, which includes Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary and Vermilion Parishes.

Joe Donahue, Secretary of the Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD), said the purpose of the hearing was to describe and list all of the projects planned to be delivered over the next year and to take comments from the public.

"The purpose was to present that and take comments from the public for any issues that weren't already reflected in the program of projects that we've got. In addition to projects from the legislatures and local legislators and local officials that they have is their priorities so we can get those in the pipeline as well," he said.

Over the last few days, DOTD representatives traveled throughout the state. Thursday was their sixth hearing this week. Donahue said the DOTD has three more hearings next week as they stop in each of the DOTD's nine districts across Louisiana.

He said it's very important to provide the public the opportunity to come and provide their input about what issues they see in their locality and what they believe the DOTD should prioritize.

He said there were a lot of comments about the I-49 Connector .

"That is, of course, one of the megaprojects that the Legislature has prescribed and is probably the largest scope project that we have in the region. I'm happy to say that it is moving forward still in the environmental phase at this point, but we hope to have that environmental approval very shortly," he said.

Another concern was for Project H015722 Airport Blvd. at LA 182 close to the crossing.

"Airport Boulevard is a viable entrance and exit into Iberia Parish Airport, Iberia Parish Sheriff's Department, and the many businesses in that area. Since it's closed, our traffic flow to and from the area has become unmanageable. The detour outlets are overly congested on a daily basis and have created unsafe traveling conditions," one woman expressed.

The committee said they are doing everything they can to get something there to see about the concerns.

If you weren't able to make the hearing you can still provide input about projects that you would like to see developed. Comments are taken year-round. But regarding the hearing on Thursday, you still have 45 days to provide comments and suggestions for the next year of highway priority program projects.