In the News

WEST BATON ROUGE, La. (LOCAL 33)(FOX 44) - Rep. Garret Graves (R- La.) focused on infrastructure and flood prevention while speaking at the West Baton Rouge Parish Chamber of Commerce meeting Wednesday.

Graves said there is a transportation crisis in the Baton Rouge area.

"We cannot continue to live in transportation infrastructure that was meant for the 1960's and 70's. We need transportation in place for 2030 and 2040," Graves said.

He said there are currently plans in motion for a new bridge, improvements to the ramp from West Baton Rouge and addressing the Washington Street exit.

In addition to transportation, Graves also spoke on his efforts to move flood prevention projects forward.

"I know you care about the Comite project," Graves said to the crowd. "This is another thing like the Washington Street exit. It's been around for 32 years. We will be announcing within the next few months full federal funding for the project. It's going to be built, period."

When asked about the Army Corps of Engineers, Graves said the Corps does serve a purpose, but projects have been taking way too long. He said he is working on legislation to try to move the Corps to a new agency.

"The Corps of Engineers is no longer compatible with the Department of Defense. It's an infrastructure mission and it needs to be in an infrastructure agency," Graves said.

He said there has been a lot of progress, but there's still a long way to go.

Graves will speak in Livingston Parish Thursday at 11:30 a.m. at the Forrest Grove Plantation in Denham Springs.