Today, Governor John Bel Edwards was joined by the Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) Secretary Shawn Wilson along with state and local officials to celebrate the start of the Ambassador Caffery Interchange, a future I-49 South project, in Broussard, Louisiana.

“Infrastructure is vital to the economic growth of our state and this $136 million project is important to Louisiana’s future,” said Gov. Edwards. This project is a significant step toward completing the I-49 corridor, which is used by more than 45,000 motorists every day. Since I’ve been in office, my administration has been committed to investing in our state’s infrastructure and this project will have a tremendously positive impact not only in the immediate area but across our entire state.”

The $136 million, 3.08 mile project will involve the following:

    Construction of a fully access controlled grade-separated interchange

    Six-lane bridge structure over Ambassador Caffery

    Widening U.S. 90 to six lanes

    One way northbound and southbound two-lane frontage roads

    U-Turn lanes

    Widening and reconstruction of Ambassador Caffery to account for the new interchange configuration

    New drainage structures

The total I-49 south corridor includes approximately 160 miles of roadway, of which more than 100 miles have been completed or are currently under construction.

Secretary Wilson said, “Projects like the Ambassador Caffery Interchange are transformative in ways beyond where asphalt or concrete meets the road. As a future I-49 South corridor project, it is an essential piece of fabric that will serve as part of a world-class MEGA infrastructure project. So, when it comes to projects such the Ambassador Caffery Interchange project, we’re not just building infrastructure. We’re building relationships, enhancing safety, spurring economic development, improving hurricane evacuation routes, and forging connections throughout Louisiana and the nation.”

“If we want to be competitive when attracting commerce, we have to have a competitive infrastructure system,” said Louisiana State Senator Page Cortez. “The Ambassador Caffery Interchange project not only demonstrates DOTD’s and the State of Louisiana’s commitment to completing I-49 South, but also our continued commitment to improving our state’s infrastructure and promoting economic growth.”

"I’m very excited to see work begin on this critical phase as we continue our fight to get the funding needed to finish I-49 South. Corridor initiatives such as the Ambassador Caffery Interchange increase safety, improve evacuation routes, and open the door for economic development opportunities,” said Lafayette Parish Mayor-President Josh Guillory.

“Completing I-49 South is a priority to this area. This corridor will create a safer and more efficient drive for motorists throughout our state, as well as pave the way for economic growth in this region by creating more efficient movement of goods and services across our state,” said City of Broussard Mayor Ray Bourque.

The I-49 South project will convert U.S. 90 from Lafayette to New Orleans into an interstate-quality roadway ultimately providing improved travel throughout the state and nation.

This project will improve access to several transportation facilities in the immediate vicinity including the Lafayette Regional Airport, the ports of Iberia, West St. Mary and Morgan City, Amtrak and the Louisiana & Delta Railroad.

Additionally, this segment of U.S. 90 is already a major industrial corridor in Louisiana that will expand significantly with better highway access.

Awarded to JB James Construction for $136.52 million, work on the project began in August 2022 and is estimated for completion in spring 2026.