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Office of Communications Gwen Campbell Media, Community & Education Relations Tel. 318.673.5062 / Fax: 318.673.5087 gwen.campbell@shreveportla.gov | ||
Unwavering and steadfast in his efforts to complete the construction of I-49 North, today Shreveport Mayor Cedric B. Glover sent a letter to Governor Bobby Jindal, state legislators and elected officials reaffirming their commitment to funding I-49 North. | “I-49 North must be fully funded during this fiscal year, by a combination of federal stimulus funds and state surplus funds,” said Mayor Glover. “As final touches are prepared on the federal stimulus package, I encourage you to maximize those funds received by the State of Louisiana for this project.” | The latest estimate received from DOTD to completely fund construction from I-220 to the Arkansas border is $288 million dollars, with a majority of that being ready-to-bid within 180 days. The DOTD Stimulus List released in December 2008 included only $116 million for Sections B, D and H. Subject to the final details of the federal stimulus package, Glover said other sections should be added in order to maximize funding from the federal government. “This would reduce the amount required from state funds to complete the funding.” | Governor Jindal traveled to Shreveport on Friday, November 28, 2008 and publicly pledged his commitment to complete I-49 North. After meeting with Mayor Glover, members of the Northwest Louisiana legislative delegation, Shreveport City Council, economic development, business and civic leaders the consensus was to pursue $182 million from stimulus and $106 million from surplus to fund the full $288 million needed to complete construction. With that commitment Jindal projected I-49 North could be completed between 2014 and 2016. | The completion of I-49 North will: |
§ Stimulate the continued economic growth in our region through the location and expansion of warehousing, distribution and intermodal facilities.
| § Create an additional 12,125 jobs, including 2275 direct jobs, 5674 indirect jobs and 4176 induced jobs.
| § Open Shreveport to Wal-Mart’s base of operations and the trucking center of northwest Arkansas. An additional 15,000 commercial trucks per day would drive through Shreveport and continue through Louisiana.
| § Generate more than $1 billion in net economic benefits to the state.
| “It is critical that I-49 North be fully funded,” said Mayor Glover. “There is no question that its completion will have a tremendous economic impact on Northwest Louisiana, the Port of New Orleans and the entire state.”
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