The question about funding is still the big mystery surrounding the completion of I-49 in the Shreveport metro. But the other big question is the route. Local leaders along with NLCOG have chosen a route through Allendale, but lots of work has to be done to make sure this is feasible.

KEEL News got calls and texts that movement was being held up by Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser or someone on his staff because of an historic park in the path of the freeway. We caught up with the Lt. Governor in Iowa to ask him if he has any problems with the proposed route.

A spokesman for the Lt. Governor tells KEEL News they just did some checking and found that the plan is still with the Federal Highway Administration and the package has not yet gotten to the State's Historic Preservation Officer (under the Lt. Governor) for review.

The Lt. Governor’s Office sent us this statement:

“As part of the Section 106 review of the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA), the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) must conduct reviews and evaluations on historic properties and districts in the expansion area. My office and the Louisiana Historic Preservation Office is aware of the project, but no official report submittal has been received; therefore, we cannot evaluate the impact to historical buildings or districts in the widening zone at this time.”

Kent Rogers, Executive Director of the North Louisiana Council on Governments tells KEEL News where we stand on getting moving to build the Inner City Connector.

You can see the different route alternatives and see the path of the preferred route by clicking here.

But opponents of the Inner City Connector have other ideas about I-49. They are calling for the use of the "loop-it" approach which will use I-220 to go around the city. These folks claim this will preserve the Allendale Neighborhood.

 

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