Governor Bobby Jindal submitted his capital construction proposal to the legislature today, and it could mean big bucks for various projects in the Lafayette-area. Here's a breakdown of the projects from the Governor's Press Office.
BATON ROUGE – Today, Governor Jindal announced capital construction proposal for the next fiscal year (FY 2011), which was submitted today to the Legislature, includes funding for several Lafayette area projects.
Governor Jindal said, “This year we’re supporting area infrastructure with a $25 million investment for construction for Verot School Road in Lafayette as well as $2.5 million toward the widening of Kaliste Saloom Road. We are also making a $3.67 million commitment to the Atchafalaya Basin protection and enhancement project to further improve the area for future business growth and job creation.”


Lafayette area projects slated to receive funding in the proposed capital construction bill include:


·$3.67 million toward Atchafalaya Basin protection and enhancement
·$2.5 million toward widening Kaliste Saloom Road in Lafayette
·$1.4 million toward renovation of the parish courthouse in Lafayette Parish
·$1 million toward construction for Verot School Road in Lafayette and another $24 million in Priority 5 future funds to the road for a total investment of $25 million.
·$890,000 toward restorations, repairs, and renovations for the Grand Opera House of the South in Acadia Parish
·$500,000 toward drainage improvements for the Armenco Branch Canal in Iberia Parish
The Division of Administration’s Office of Facility Planning and Control annually prepares the capital outlay bill, submitting it to the Legislature on the eighth day of the legislative session.
At the start of 2008, Louisiana state government’s capital construction program faced an unsustainable $1.465 billion backlog in Priority 5 project commitments – that is, projects that were approved without cash lines of credit but still obligations of the state.
Since then, the Jindal administration has exercised spending restraint and continued to pay down past obligations, bringing the backlog down to around $600 million.

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