Upgrades Coming to Johnston St, Bertrand Dr.

[CajunFun]

Lafayette isn't ready to talk about how to fund a Johnston Street walkability project, Mayor-President Monique Boulet said Tuesday.

She hopes the upcoming half-mile Bertrand Drive revitalization and walkability project will spark that conversation.

https://www.theadvocate.com/acadiana...9c4e77f31.html

I have heard from sources that while these improvements will boost Lafayette's economy and attractiveness to visitors and tourists, the MP is also well aware of the impacts they will have on UL.

Granted, she was raised around the University, she is an alumna; but even if not, she has a good, practical approach to growth and finances, and UL is possibly the most important economic engine the region has. In the short-term, it brings in tremendous dollars from tuitions, student expenditures, state funding, donations, and research; and long-term, because so many of our graduates stay here as professionals, entrepreneurs, and managers, who in turn generate even more revenues for the city & parish.

And, of course, they serve as community leaders in countless other ways. Our alumni fill the non-profit boards, the civic clubs, churches, and they volunteer for countless school and after-hours activities for our children, and for those in need and at risk. Finally, they volunteer and fund many of the wonderful arts and cultural activities that boost our quality of life, and make us attractive to industry and workers...

...including, ironically, our own graduating students.

[CrazyCajun]

Wasn’t sure if the mayor president was still alive. This is the first I’ve heard/read her name since the election.

[HelmutVII]

I'm thinking this is a waste of money.

[mphscajun]

Speaking of walkability, it baffles me that there are no sidewalks for a long stretch of south college road. There is high pedestrian traffic with "trails" worn into the grass.

[RedTails]

Johnston St. revitalization is imperative to the long-term financial health of the CITY of Lafayette. It should have been tackled back when Joey Durel was MP, but business owners of Johnston shut it down. Now all development is happening along Ambassador Caffery moving towards HWY 90.

[ZoomZoom]

Johnston St. revitalization is imperative to the long-term financial health of the CITY of Lafayette. It should have been tackled back when Joey Durel was MP, but business owners of Johnston shut it down. Now all development is happening along Ambassador Caffery moving towards HWY 90.

And therein is the natural progression of cities. Money follows new and shiny.

The new “northside” is evolving. Northside of the bayou. And people expect it to be propped up by government.

[RaginCajun77]

Johnston St. revitalization is imperative to the long-term financial health of the CITY of Lafayette. It should have been tackled back when Joey Durel was MP, but business owners of Johnston shut it down. Now all development is happening along Ambassador Caffery moving towards HWY 90.

Could have started decades ago by burying the power lines.

[facelessjonmoon]

Speaking of walkability, it baffles me that there are no sidewalks for a long stretch of south college road. There is high pedestrian traffic with "trails" worn into the grass.

Yep. Between West Bayou and Johnston, the walkability and bikeability on South College is very bad. Factoring in that a 4 lane road became a 5 lane road with super narrow lanes, I’m not sure what can be done

There is/ was supposed to be a bike path off West Bayou to connect it with Moncus Park. It appears that initiative has been pushed back by the current MP admin. Without good pedestrian or biking access to Moncus Park, the limited parking spaces are a huge bottleneck there.

[CajunT]

Yep. Between West Bayou and Johnston, the walkability and bikeability on South College is very bad. Factoring in that a 4 lane road became a 5 lane road with super narrow lanes, I’m not sure what can be done

There is/ was supposed to be a bike path off West Bayou to connect it with Moncus Park. It appears that initiative has been pushed back by the current MP admin. Without good pedestrian or biking access to Moncus Park, the limited parking spaces are a huge bottleneck there.

Johnston St is US 167 HWY, exactly how much more access should it have outside of the current bike lanes in place? I can understand the idea of adding more access at some point, but does this project supersede others on the book of infrastructure for the city of Lafayette and will it eventually be part of a much larger rumored project to include the infamous Johnston Street Blvd that was killed during Joey Dural's administration? How much of taxpayer's money will go to this project?

[ZoomZoom]

Johnston St is US 167 HWY, exactly how much more access should it have outside of the current bike lanes in place? I can understand the idea of adding more access at some point, but does this project supersede others on the book of infrastructure for the city of Lafayette and will it eventually be part of a much larger rumored project to include the infamous Johnston Street Blvd that was killed during Joey Dural's administration? How much of taxpayer's money will go to this project?

Don’t worry, they’ll get a federal/state grant.

As one councilman years back remarked regarding a grant, “Good, it’s not costing us anything.” What a post turtle.

SMH. If it’s coming from any government body, we’re paying for it.

[CajunT]

Don’t worry, they’ll get a federal/state grant.

As one councilman years back remarked regarding a grant, “Good, it’s not costing us anything.” What a post turtle.

SMH. If it’s coming from any government body, we’re paying for it.

I'm not totally against the project, but there aren't tons of people riding bicycles daily past the Bertrand light going south. The Bertrand corridor is not a major economic attraction for new businesses. This seems like one of those beautification projects similar to the University Project. While wonderful to have, it isn't more important than the backlog of current roads and drainage projects needed to address Lafayette's ongoing infrastructure concerns.

[facelessjonmoon]

Johnston St is US 167 HWY, exactly how much more access should it have outside of the current bike lanes in place? I can understand the idea of adding more access at some point, but does this project supersede others on the book of infrastructure for the city of Lafayette and will it eventually be part of a much larger rumored project to include the infamous Johnston Street Blvd that was killed during Joey Dural's administration? How much of taxpayer's money will go to this project?

I was replying to another poster’s comment regarding South College.

Johnston Street does currently have bicycle and walkable access . It’s not pretty or necessarily safe but it exists

as far as beautifying it (ie burying power lines) as you mentioned there seem to be more pressing infrastructure needs that don’t have funding