Press Releases

LEEVILLE, LA – U.S. Congressman Garret Graves released the following statement regarding the milestone groundbreaking for the elevation of LA-1 taking place today in Leeville, Louisiana. The new, elevated highway project, stretching from Golden Meadow to Leeville (8.3 miles), was partially financed in 2020 with a $135 million federal grant.

"Officially known as the ‘Billy Tauzin Energy Corridor', LA 1 is the trunk and root of Louisiana's important history, culture and economy– Port Fourchon, Grand Isle, energy production, ship building, seafood, Sportsman's Paradise, Cajun Country, tourism, jobs and more. As we saw during Hurricane Ida, every day this artery is inoperable, America's economy takes a hit, our economy takes a hit, our communities can't evacuate, and our national energy system is paralyzed. The reality is that LA 1 resiliency means stronger and safer communities, and a more reliable energy economy. Without the decades of hard work and persistence of Billy Tauzin, the LA 1 Coalition, the Louisiana Legislature, and community and business leaders in the Coastal Parishes, this highway would be breaking waves, but instead today we're breaking ground," Graves said. "Nearly seven years ago, we wrote the federal law that resulted in prioritized federal funds for nationally significant energy corridors like LA 1. That long-term strategy directly resulted in our ability to partner with Rep. Scalise to bring home the largest transportation grant awarded in 2020 for this project. This is a perfect example of a local and real infrastructure solution that addresses our national priorities. South Louisiana is worth this investment and is worth protecting."

About the grant:

In 2020, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) awarded a $135 million grant to elevate approximately 8.3 miles of highway from Leeville Bridge to Golden Meadow – the largest transportation grant awarded in the nation that year. Graves' amendment to the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act required that projects which support national energy security receive priority consideration for the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant program. Graves stressed the importance of the FAST Act, our amendment and LA-1 in 2017 to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao.

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