Gov. Edwards visits parish to celebrate new overpass

Governor John Bel Edwards joined state and local officials Friday afternoon at the West St. Mary Community Center to dedicate the new overpass at La. 318 and US 90.
According to Edwards, the ribbon cutting ceremony was the first time he had been back to the parish in two years.
“We have been committed to moving Louisiana forward by making transportation a priority,” said Edwards. “Since I’ve been governor, we’ve actually invested over $1.4 billion in over 700 projects that have gone to bid statewide. That includes $35 million here in St. Mary Parish alone, not to mention the completion of the project we are here today to celebrate, and we need to be doing more.”
He went on to say that the backlog in Baton Rouge, of statewide transportation and infrastructure projects, needs “gross mastering,” as it grows faster than it is solved.
However, it was the successful completion of this project, which Edwards said “plays a vital role in the preparation for the future I-49 South corridor,” and improves both US 90 and the intersection of US 90 and La. 318.
He touched on the importance of both routes and the role they play in the parish for its residents and businesses, saying of out-of-state travelers on US 90 toward New Orleans, “It’s a good thing, because if they try to go across the I-10 corridor, we’re terribly congested.”
He added, “Additionally, it (US 90) serves as an evacuation route and as a transport route for freight and other port-related industries of South Louisiana.
“Continuing to expand and grow our infrastructure is critical for our state’s economic growth, and it is projects like this one, that will move our state forward.”
Following the governor’s remarks, Senator Bret Allain added, “I don’t know if you know this, but right now, with the completion of this overpass, we’re I-49 compliant all the way from Lafayette to the Calumet Cut.
This is a great day for St. Mary and Iberia Parish.”
Also in attendance Friday was State Representative Sam Jones. Jones has been talking about the project of the new overpass since before Edwards was elected to office, and says it was the first thing he spoke about with the governor when they were both elected to sit together in the House of Representatives.
He said of the project’s importance, “How do you keep a community poor? You lock them out and fence them off. Without this overpass, how could this community exist? It wouldn’t. It would slowly die if it didn’t have access. It would deteriorate because it wouldn’t have investment.
“Well, investment is coming. The investment may not be here tomorrow, but it is coming.”
Jones said in order for business to thrive in the community of West St. Mary, the environment must be cooperative in terms of accessibility.
“Too long this place has been neglected by parish government and that needs to stop.
“This needs to be a place of economic development. It is ready.”