Jindal, delegation discuss infrastructure projects

Gov. Bobby Jindal sat down with members of the Capital Region Legislative Delegation Monday afternoon to discuss expanding the reach of ongoing infrastructure projects. Rep. Steve Carter, the Republican chairman of the group, says about 16 members of the delegation attended the meeting. Carter says the delegation is focused this year on advancing projects outside of Baton Rouge proper, particularly undertakings with smaller price tags that build off of past initiatives. For example, the delegation and Jindal have secured funding in recent sessions for the Interstate 10 to Highland Road upgrade, the Interstate 12 widening to Walker, the I-10/Pecue Lane interchange, the I-10/La 415 Connector, LSU’s land acquisition for South Campus, Southern University’s water line and Pennington Biomedical Center’s new clinical building. Specific projects being targeted for the spring regular session will be announced in the coming months. “The delegation is stronger than ever and looking forward to working together during the upcoming session to be sure the needs of our region are met,” Carter says. Next week, delegation members will travel to Washington, D.C., for their annual breakfast with the Louisiana Congressional Delegation to “discuss key infrastructure projects and important issues, including health care reform and redistricting.” Meetings with officials from the U.S. Corps of Engineers, U.S. Department of Transportation and the D.C. public school system are also on tap for the trip. —Jeremy Alford