La. 675 project a bright spot for growth

Published 6:00 am Monday, December 3, 2018

Iberia Parish President Larry Richard is looking forward to the Louisiana 675 roundabout project in Iberia Parish, which he called the largest roundabout in Louisiana. 

“The Highway 675 roundabout project involves the largest roundabout in the state of Louisiana, and is part of several projects which are slated to improve infrastructure supporting industrial efforts between the Acadiana Regional Airport, and those at the Port of Iberia supporting oil and gas efforts in the Gulf of Mexico,” Richard said. 

“These projects have been in the works for several years and will help not only to support current industries within Iberia Parish, but will enhance the opportunity for economic growth within our region through marketing to a more diverse industrial field.”

Richard called the airport a perfect location to be used as a hub for cargo transportation on an international level.

“Our efforts to support growth both at the Acadiana Regional Airport and the Port of Iberia are important to everyone who calls Iberia Parish home,” Richard said. “The partnership we share with these entities is invaluable to our constituency.

He also said officials from DOTD, Iberia Parish and multiple utility companies met Thursday for a plan review of the Louisiana 675 Roundabout Project. The meeting started at 9:30 a.m. Thursday and ended with a site visit at 3:30 p.m.

“Everyone left the meeting feeling positive that the project is on track. We are looking forward to accommodating a few request from DOTD and some items that involve utilities in order to move the project forward,” he said. “Again this has been in the works for several years and I am pleased with the direction the project is going and look forward to putting this work out for bid in the near future.”

Port offer appreciated

“Speaking of the spirit of partnering throughout the parish, I want to take a minute to thank Craig

Romero and the Port Commission for offering the use of a facility at the Port of Iberia which will help the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office by guaranteeing the availability of much needed space to house a large part of their operation,” Richard said.

“As many of you already know our region is still facing an economic challenge which has forced all of us to make adjustments. Iberia Parish Government is no different than any organization in the region and from the time I took office we have been addressing the issue. From spending freezes, staff reductions, to expense cuts we continue to find ways to provide services with less resources.”

Richard said this year is no different and Iberia Parish Government officials again are addressing the financial challenges facing the parish. After the council requested a budget reduction of $475,000 in the Road District 10 fund two weeks ago, the parish president said his staff was briefed on the task at hand and immediately went to work to accommodate the request.

“Not only was the task accomplished with minimal impact to the current staff, but additional savings were found within the drainage budget as well,” Richard said.

“Regarding the reductions in staff that have been reported. We are in the process of facilitating as smooth of a transition as possible for those employees who may be affected by the situation.

“While I’m disappointed in the length of time it is taking for our economy to improve, I am confident that things are getting better based on reports which reflect month to month revenue increases.”