Millions of miles of state and federal highways stretch across the United States, but very few have been labeled critical to this nation’s inter-modalism, economy and security. LA Highway 1 can now claim inclusion in this important class of highways, increasing chances for future federal funding.

In early December 2001, U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu and Congressman Billy Tauzin announced that Congress had designated LA 1 as a "high priority corridor," one of only 44 such designations in the country. Landrieu aggressively pushed for the inclusion of LA 1 on the federal government’s highway priority list in a speech to fellow lawmakers on the Senate floor.

"Because Louisiana’s transportation system is a vital link in moving imported and domestically produced energy to the nation, greater federal spending to improve our highways and ports is a wise national investment," explained Landrieu.

"Fairness demands that the federal government return some of this money to the region that created it, and federal funding of LA 1 improvements would be a good start," she added.

According to Rep. Tauzin, LA 1 project is critical to economic development in Louisiana.

"This corridor is one of the top industrial corridors––in terms of jobs per capita––in the U.S. and has more navigable water miles than any other region of its size in the country," he said.

LA 1 is the only highway located in a small community to be included on the 44-highway list. However, its importance to the production and distribution of energy resources is what sets it apart from the others.

"It is a tremendous feat to achieve this high-priority status over other major highway systems," said LA 1 Coalition Executive Director Roy Francis. "The recognition should go a long way in helping us achieve substantial funding for improvements in the next transportation bill cycle."

The six-year federal transportation authorization funds billions of dollars for highway projects across the nation. The next bill will be considered in 2003.

More information can be found on Senator Landrieu's website.

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Press contact:
Roy Francis, LA 1 Coalition
985.448.4485