OJCA was represented by the president and the recording secretary. The purpose of the meeting as advertised was to bring together concerned private citizens, stakeholders and elected parish and state officials to review presentations of current and future LaDOTD projects in Region 2, of which includes Jefferson Parish. A booklet titled “Draft Fiscal Yar 2026-2027 Highway Priority Program” was provided to attendees. To review the booklet, click here.
The meeting was well attended by various Parish representatives including several from Plaquemines Parish and LaFourche Parish, as well as State Representatives, the Secretary of the DOTD, Glenn Ledet, Jr., (225-379-1200) the Region 2, District Administrator Scott Boyle, (504-437-3101).
Prior to attending, OJCA reviewed the DOTD Highway Priority Program and identified several projects impacting the Old Jefferson community:
- Project H.002956 Earhart at Dakin - type of improvement: Ramp Connector Eastbound Earhart to Dakin Stage: Scheduled in Fiscal Year 2025/2026
- Project H.002861 Causeway Blvd - Earhart Expressway - type of improvement: new interchange Stage: Design Development
- Project H.003074 I-10 Williams Blvd - Veterans Blvd - type of improvement: major widening for extra lanes - Stage: Pending Funding
- Project H.004367 Earhart Expressway to US 61 (Airline) - type of improvement: Environmental Line and Grade Study (high priority) - Stage: Pending Funding
- Project H.002955 Earhart Expressway - type of improvement: Access Connectors - Stage: Pending Funding
The initial discussion of progress by the Louisiana DOTD was directed by Mr. Ledet and Mr. Boyle. The main topics presented were project delivery, priorities, funding and communication with stakeholders. There was a brief discussion of Dist. 2 projects which have been completed and/or are near completion, including the Green Bridge Rehab painting in New Orleans East and the Bayou Dularge Bridge repair in Houma. The Highway Priority Program for Dist. 2 has 46 “projects to let” in 2026.
The DOTD opened up the Road Show to questions:
The Chairman of the Committee asked about two items of concern to him: When will there be a widening of I-10 at Williams, and Hwy. 90 from the CCC passing the Superdome. He also brought up the fact that the metered ramp access has been inoperable since shortly after it was installed.
DOTD representative Boyle stated that they are aware of the I-10 bottleneck at Williams and are addressing it and that it will be very difficult to prevent the rush hour bottleneck on Hwy. 90 because of lack of space. The bridge can’t safely be widened any further and the roadway passing the Superdome is problematic. He addressed the issue of the ramp meters and said that the meters are stripped of metals as soon as they are repaired and the DOTD is addressing a solution to prevent tampering. He also addressed the Louisiana highway clean-up program which has a schedule but also relies on people to report garbage for removal.
There was a question about when will the bridges for Hwy. 90 through St. Bernard Parish to Mississippi be repaired so they can be used for hurricane evacuation again. There was a question about when the Florida Ave. corridor will be completed. Residents and representatives from Plaquemines Parish discussed the effects of the Belle Chasse Bridge tolls on their businesses and residents and requested that the tolls never be reinstated and that the company that was contracted to collect the tolls be replaced. A representative from LaFourche Parish discussed the need for lighting on highways and the correction of a highway bridge’s 45 degree turn and the accidents that the turn has caused.
One of the largest stakeholders in our region, Ochsner Health Systems, was represented by Systems Vice-President, Emily Arata. She gave a brief set of remarks about how much healthcare value is provided to Jefferson and surrounding Parishes and how many jobs have been created by Ochsner, which has greater benefit to the State of Louisiana. She went on to state Ochsner provided funding for Project H.012523, Stage 0 Feasibility Study Access Management and Complete Street Improvements for US 90 and LA 611 from Causeway Blvd. to Jefferson/ Orleans Parish line, begun September 16, 2016 and explained below:
“SECTION 1. That the RPC has entered into a Planning Agreement with the LA DOTD dated September 16, 2016 to perform a Sub Area Analysis of US 90 (Jefferson Highway) for access management and complete streets improvements bounded by Causeway Boulevard to the west, Earhart Boulevard to the north, Monticello Street to the east, and River Road to the south, State Project No. H.012523, with a maximum limitation of $325,000.00, consisting of $260,000.00 (80%) in STP>200K Federal Highway Administration funds and $65,000.00 (20%) in non-federal local matching funds provided by the RPC.
SECTION 2. That the Council Chairwoman, or in her absence, the Vice Chairman be and is hereby authorized to sign and execute a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement between the Parish of Jefferson and the Regional Planning Commission (RPC) for Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Tammany, and Tangipahoa Parishes to cooperate in the development of the Sub Area Analysis of US 90 (Jefferson Highway) for access management and complete streets improvements bounded by Causeway Boulevard to the west, Earhart Boulevard to the north, Monticello Street to the east, and River Road to the south, committing Jefferson Parish to providing the RPC a portion of the required non-federal local matching funds, an amount of $40,000.00.
SECTION 3. That the total cost for Jefferson Parish pursuant to this Agreement shall be charged to Account No. 44500-4070-7451(45017.003).
The resolution was declared to be adopted on this the 7th day of December, 2016.”
contract-no-4400026335-its-regional-llc.pdf
Ms. Arata also asked when the U-turn at L&A road will be constructed and the Causeway/Earhart intersection completed.
OJCA did not present any questions to the DOTD, as the plan is to have a representative attend a membership meeting early 2026. Questions to consider are, what makes up the stakeholders category? Why are residents not invited by blanket mailing or notification? Are small businesses included? There are over 80 in Old Jefferson alone. For further reading about these questions, click here.