Politics in play? Road construction project in Ascension Parish vetoed by Gov. John Bel Edwards – The Advocate

Ascension Parish has miles and miles of state and federal highways, but they are both a blessing and a curse.

Because for every Airline Highway and I-10, there are dozens of narrow, two-lane state highways. It's hard to get funding to make repairs or widen the roads, yet they continue to sprout with new homes in this fast-growing parish.

At the same time, some Ascension residents are unwilling to use local tax revenue to upgrade what they see as the states responsibility.

State Sen. Eddie Lambert, R-Prairieville, has pushed the past several years for funds to improve two-lane La. 42, a major commuter corridor through Prairieville, and La. 930. The latter is a narrow, winding off-shoot from La. 42 that serves bus traffic from Prairieville Middle School, but only barely.

Earlier this year, the state Bond Commission approved more than $21 million in construction funding from an earlier budget cycle to widen nearly four miles of La. 42 to four and five lanes.

The apparent low-bidder has been recommended for award, a DOTD spokesman said. After the award, work could start on the $27.5 million construction job in three to four months.

But, $7.56 million tarted to do the La. 930 project was one of 36 line-item vetoes from the governor.

The project, which would improve safety by widening existing lanes, adding shoulders and realigning a curve, was at the very top of Gov. John Bel Edwards recent veto message.

When asked Friday if the line-item veto was payback for Republican resistance to Edwards budget plans or simply finding a way to save money, Lambert responded, Probably a little bit of both.

Lambert supported Edwards budget, and he said the Governors Office thanked him for the vote. He noted that while La. 930 was chopped, another, smaller intersection project in his district survived the veto.

The failure of efforts to boost state aid for roads and bridges means key projects statewide

But his Ascension colleague, State Rep. Tony Bacala, R-Prairieville, opposed the final budget bill and was among the toughest budget hawks in the House. La. 930 is in both mens districts. Bacala could not be reached for comment Friday on the veto.

Rodney Mallet, DOTD spokesman, said La. 930, which still needs utilities moved before construction can start, is on hold as the state addresses a growing list of statewide needs with diminishing funds.

Mallett said La. 42 was considered a higher priority for construction funding than La. 930. He also pointed out the state has recently awarded a $72 million contract to widen I-10 from Highland Road to La. 73 in Prairieville.

Lambert said DOTD is pushing to have the parish take responsibility for La. 930 through a state exchange program. It would lead to one-time state upgrades before the highway is handed over to the parish. Lambert said he would keep pursuing state funding anyway.

Ima just keep bugging them, he said.

Follow David J. Mitchell on Twitter, @NewsieDave.

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Politics in play? Road construction project in Ascension Parish vetoed by Gov. John Bel Edwards - The Advocate