Johnson, Top Area Leaders Urge State to Move on I-49 [VIDEO]

Congressman Mike Johnson talks with 101.7 / 710 KEEL's Robert J Wright and Erin McCarty about a letter he signed, along with a number of elected officials and business people, urging Governor John Bel Edwards to hasten the construction of the I-49 Inner City Connector.

The letter, whose notable signees - in addition to Johnson - include Senators John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy, Mayors Adrian Perkins and Lo Walker, State Senators Greg Tarver and Robert Mills and State Representatives Larry Bagley and Sam Jenkins. The thrity six signators urge Governor John Bel Edwards, Secretary of the Department of Transportation and Development, Dr. Shawn Wilson and others to prioritize not only the environmental study for the highway link through the center of Shreveport, but the highway construction itself.

"This letter is being sent to express our concerns with the continued delays in the environmental review process for the I-49 Inner-City Connector (ICC) project in Shreveport, and to request your immediate assistance in ensuring the task is completed quickly and correctly.'

"Though it has long been understood that the ICC is vital to the sustainability and advancement of Northwest Louisiana and the surrounding region, it is even more important today. As our state begins the long and difficult process of rebuilding its economy following the COVID-19 pandemic, we must prioritize key infrastructure projects that will stimulate economic growth and put our people back to work. Completing the ICC will result in an estimated $800 million in annual impact in Louisiana and thousands of new jobs."

And when it comes to moving forward, Congressman Johnson says, "It's a very complex set of circumstances. I'm not here to blame anybody...but let's look forward and move forward and get this done."