It’s not a done deal!
Join us on December 3, 2015 at 6:00 P.M.
In the Main Library, Downtown Lafayette, LA
We will be holding a grassroots engagement session. All sides will get a chance to voice their views on the I-48 overpass.
Come to learn.
Come to express yourself.
Come to preserve the personality and future if Lafayette, one of the most unique cities in the country.
It’s Important!
IMMEDIATE ACTION NEEDED!
Do you want to be engaged in the conversation about the I-49 Lafayette Connector?
This is not a done deal. It is not too late. This conversation is the most important discussion our generation is facing and is the biggest infrastructure investment proposal Lafayette has ever seen.
There is a public process and we are offering our members an opportunity to be informed and engaged in the public process so that we can have a say now, since we didn’t have a seat at the table decades ago when this plan was hatched. Our generation will have to fund this project and manage any social or economic implications that this connector brings to our community and we should have a voice.
The goal of this task force is to inform, engage and connect our members on the I-49 Lafayette Connector project and aid other groups in getting involved, such as the neighborhoods directly impacted by the connector. We want to understand the issues and opportunities that this exciting process presents so that we can be responsible participants in its outcome. Sara Schoeffler
Issues that should concern you.
Elevated Highway through Lafayette proposed for the I-49 Connector:
There has been a great deal of discussion on plans to construct the I-49 connector through Lafayette. Many citizens are concerned about the numerous negative aspects of the currently proposed elevated highway such as a disruption to the downtown area and historic communities, the displacement of many homes and businesses, noise, hazards and pollution, excavation in the toxic waste site at the old railroad yard, and negative impacts to adjacent wetlands when portions of the airport are relocated. Communities should be asking questions like the following in order to determine if they can support this proposal:
- Can a plan for an elevated highway for the I-49 Connector that was developed over ten years ago be acceptable and functional for Lafayette today. We may be trying to build something that other communities are trying to tear down.
- Elevated highways are known to bring high speed traffic, accidents, falling debris, hazardous materials, pollution, blight and crime to urban areas. Are there alternatives that are less expensive or less destructive to the community?
- The Environmental Impact Statement is ten years old. Shouldn’t there be a new EIS? Should alternative routes or a loop be considered? What is the process for public involvement in selection of an alternative and selection of design characteristics?
- Is it possible to have improvement in land values and diversity of land uses in the immediate area of an elevated highway. Is there an example of where this has happened?
- How will we pay the high cost for an elevated highway for the I-49 connector? How long is the payout? Who pays? What are the likely funding scenarios.
- What will be the costs to operate and maintain an elevated highway over the long term? Who will pay the costs of long term operation and maintenance?
- Have costs for remediation of toxic sites and protection of the drinking water aquifer been identified?
- How will contaminated surface water runoff from an elevated highway be controlled?
- An elevated highway will require airport realignments. Who will pay the costs?
Meeting Agenda
GRASSROOTS FORUM
Thursday Dec.3, 2015 / 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Main Lafayette Public Library / corner of Lafayette St. and W. Congress
BE INFORMED / BE INCLUDED
BECOME INVOLVED
- The Forum will be convened promptly at 6:00 PM.
- The four invited speakers to present their thoughts on the I – 49 CONNECTOR.
Louisiana DOTD
Lafayette Consolidated Government
Harry Weis – One Acadiana
Nathan Norris – Downtown Development Authority
Harold Schoeffler – Acadian Group, Sierra Club
- Forum attendees will form groups to answer the following questions:
- “What did you learn tonight that was new to you?”
- “What are your concerns / questions?”
- The groups’ questions/concerns lists will be addressed to the speakers in a round robin fashion until time runs short.
- “Where do we go from here?” With Recommendations for how to craft the next forum.
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Below are links for file downloads. Feel free to make copies and hand them out to concerned citizens.
Nice. Keep posting information about what’s the latest on I-49.