Sen. Kennedy initially secured $15 million in congressional-directed spending for the St. Bernard Transportation Corridor two years ago through the Transportation, Housing, Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) appropriations bill.<\/p>\n
Earlier this month, Kennedy announced an additional $10 million for the project in the Fiscal Year 2026 THUD bill as part of $88.55 million delivered for Louisiana special projects.<\/p>\n
\u201cLouisiana\u2019s already a great state in which to live and do business\u2014but we can improve both our economy and quality of life by building more roadways that look like they were designed on purpose. The St. Bernard Transportation Corridor will improve safety and hurricane preparedness in the local community while helping create good Louisiana jobs. I\u2019m proud of the funding I\u2019ve delivered for this important project through my role on the Senate Appropriations Committee to make this corridor a reality,\u201d said Sen. Kennedy.<\/p>\n
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Phase 1 of the project, led by DOTD, includes environmental review, corridor planning, and route selection for the critical transportation link.<\/p><\/div>\n
Cooperative Partnership Moving Phase 1 Forward<\/strong><\/p>\n DOTD and Port NOLA formalized their partnership in October 2025 through a cooperative endeavor agreement that outlines coordination in procurement, evaluation, design, and construction support. The agreement underscores a unified commitment to deliver infrastructure that benefits commerce, community safety, and long-term resilience.<\/p>\n \u201cDOTD is proud to work hand-in-hand with Port NOLA and St. Bernard Parish to advance this transformative project for the state,\u201d said DOTD Secretary Glenn Ledet, Jr.<\/p>\n \u201cWith the federal funding secured by Sen. Kennedy, we can move forward with the environmental analysis, planning, and identification of a preferred route for the corridor. Just as importantly, we are committed to ensuring the public has meaningful opportunities to provide input throughout this process.\u201d<\/p>\n St. Bernard Parish President Louis Pomes emphasized the importance of collaboration.<\/p>\n \u201cI remain focused on protecting the people and quality of life in St. Bernard Parish. While I continue to have concerns about the Louisiana International Terminal, we have a responsibility to ensure that if this project proceeds, our residents are protected, and therefore we have worked closely with DOTD to ensure that continuing to move this roadway forward is a top priority,\u201d Pomes said. \u201cThe transportation corridor is critical to reducing truck traffic on local roads, improving safety, and strengthening our hurricane evacuation capabilities. By working with DOTD and our federal partners during this planning phase, we can help shape the project, protect wetlands, and make sure St. Bernard families are not left to bear the impacts without solutions.\u201d<\/p>\n Port NOLA President and CEO Beth Branch highlighted the broader regional impact.<\/p>\n \u201cThe St. Bernard Transportation Corridor is a critical component of our long-term vision to ensure Louisiana remains a global commerce leader,\u201d Branch said. \u201cThrough our partnership with DOTD and with the strong federal support secured by Sen. Kennedy, we are building infrastructure that supports the Louisiana International Terminal, improves safety, and delivers lasting community benefits.\u201d<\/p>\n Public Engagement Ahead<\/strong><\/p>\n As DOTD advances environmental studies and route selection during Phase 1, the department will announce public meetings and comment periods to gather feedback from residents, businesses, and stakeholders.<\/p>\n The St. Bernard Transportation Corridor, developed in tandem with the future Louisiana International Terminal, will provide a strategic connection between Louisiana\u2019s international trade gateway and the national interstate network, strengthening economic competitiveness while enhancing safety and resilience for generations to come.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Louisiana International Terminal represents one of the most significant economic development opportunities our state has ever seen,\u201d said Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois.<\/p>\n \u201cLIT will generate thousands of family-supporting jobs from construction throughout long-term port operations and related industries while driving millions of dollars in new state and local tax revenue. The St. Bernard Transportation Corridor is a critical component of that success. By improving connectivity, freight efficiency, and access to the terminal, this investment ensures Louisiana can fully capture the economic benefits of expanded global trade and deliver lasting prosperity for our communities.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"