Louisiana
Is I-69 coming to north Louisiana?
On Wednesday, Oct. 16, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy announced that I-69 will be coming to north Louisiana with the Port of Caddo-Bossier I-69 Connector.
Eric England, Executive Director of the Port of Caddo-Bossier, said, “Today is one of the most incredible days in the Port’s history. I-69 will have a presence in Louisiana, connecting the Port of Caddo-Bossier to Interstate 49.”
This $22.6 million U.S. Department of Transportation INFRA grant will connect I-49 to the future I-69 Corridor Project Frontage Road. Cassidy said, “The Caddo-Bossier I-69 connector will be yet another reason companies choose to invest in North Louisiana and allow us to build an economy for 2050.”
Cassidy said the infrastructure bill’s focus on economic development and community growth in Northwest Louisiana will be achieved, in part, by generating more jobs, which will incentivize families to stay in Shreveport, Bossier, and surrounding areas.
Cassidy noted that Louisiana’s road and bridge infrastructure requires substantial investment, with $5.9 billion allocated through infrastructure bills. The INFRA grant provides an additional funding boost, increased by four times the amount available for localized and regional projects, beyond the initial $5.9 billion.
“The Northwest Louisiana DOTD put together a proposal, applied to the dollars,” Cassidy said. “They’re pulling it down. This is what I hoped would happen and this is what’s happening.”
This connector will alleviate Port traffic on Highway 1, LA Highway 3132, Bert Kouns and the Inner Loop. England said, “We’re going to have a direct shot from the Port to I-49 so that 18-wheelers can access the nation’s interstate system from the Port.”
This is the first leg of I-69 in Louisiana, and according to England, it was something many never thought they would see in their lifetime. I-69 is a mid-continental highway that connects Laredo, Texas, to Port Huron, Michigan. This connector will be the first of I-69 in this area.
England said that construction on this 10-mile connector can be seen as soon as late 2025. “This project is in design already,” England said.
More: What did Jeff Landry talk about while visiting Shreveport?
Makenzie Boucher is a reporter with the Shreveport Times. Contact her at mboucher@gannett.com.
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When it comes to retiring, the best places to do so often are affordable, have a high quality of life and access to quality healthcare.
If you’re looking for a place to retire, Niche has identified the best places for retirees in Louisiana.
In its list, Niche has taken into account factors like weather, crime rates, housing costs and access to amenities.
The 5 best places to retire in Louisiana according to Niche
These are the top five best places to retire in Louisiana, according to Niche.
1. Oak Hills Place
Oak Hills Place is a suburb of Baton Rouge and is the overall best place to retire in Louisiana. This suburb, located in East Baton Rouge Parish, has a population of 9,038 and offers residents an urban suburban mix feel. The area is highly rated for families, diversity, as well as health and fitness. Here, the median home value is $437,900 and the median rent is $1,422, according to Niche.
2. Westminster
Westminster is another suburb of Baton Rouge and is the second-best place to retire in Louisiana. Located in East Baton Rouge Parish, this suburb has a population of 2,559 and offers residents an urban suburban mix feel. This area is highly rated for nightlife, diversity, families, health and fitness, as well as commute. The median home value here is $266,100 and the median rent is $1,482, says Niche.
3. River Ridge
River Ridge is a suburb of New Orleans, located in Jefferson Parish, and is the third-best place to retire in Louisiana. This suburb has a population of 13,312 and offers residents a dense suburban feel. The area is highly rated for public schools, family, nightlife and diversity. The median home value is $357,400 and the median rent is $1,127, according to Niche.
4. Westlake
Westlake is a town in Calcasieu Parish that is among the best places to retire in Louisiana. With a population of 4,743, this town offers residents a rural feel. The town is highly rated for public schools, housing, families, jobs, cost of living, nightlife and weather. Here, the median home value is $166,100 and the median rent is $1,049, says Niche.
5. Prien
Prien is another town in Calcasieu Parish that is among the best places to retire in Louisiana. This town has a population of 7,119 and offers residents a suburban rural mix feel. The town is highly rated for public schools, housing, families, nightlife and weather. The median home value here is $278,000 and the median rent is $1,292, according to Niche.
Presley Bo Tyler is the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team reporter for USA Today Network. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at PTyler@Gannett.com
A motorcyclist is recovering after a West Monroe crash involving an 18-wheeler, while Chevron won a Louisiana Supreme Court ruling shifting a major coastal lawsuit back to lower courts. Ouachita deputies arrested a suspect and recovered more than a dozen guns, Mississippi passed a new school social-media safety requirement, and Louisiana’s House advanced a unanimous state budget. A new recovery center opened, and multiple weekend events are underway across northeast Louisiana, plus national updates include stock-market stress guidance, a Ford F-150 recall, Spirit Airlines uncertainty, and tax-refund tips.
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