Fully aware that his congressional district’s proximity to the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico makes it equal parts valuable economically and vulnerable residentially, U.S. Rep. Troy Carter secured seven figures worth of federal funding to strengthen both fronts.
In early Sept. 2024, Carter formally anouced that a $500,000 piece had been green lit via requests through the ‘Community Project Funding’ plan (CPF) for a pair of infrastructure improvements in the River Parishes: the Master Drainage Plan at the Port of South Louisiana and the King Avenue access project in Lutcher.
“Congressman Troy Carter’s unwavering support for the Port of South Louisiana and the port’s master drainage project exemplify his commitment to both regional infrastructure and economic growth,” Port of South Louisiana CEO Paul Matthews said. “His leadership ensures that Louisiana’s largest tonnage port…remains a vital hub for international commerce while safeguarding our local community from potential flooding, securing a brighter and more prosperous future for River Region families.”
Each fiscal year, U.S. congressmen and congresswomen can request funding through the CPF for a wide variety of local construction/civic improvement projects as long as they have some sort of federal nexus. Because funding has a cap, not every proposal presented receives a thumbs up, meaning there’s a great deal of strategy and crafting involved in order to pitch successfully.
“Everything that comes in has merit,” Rep. Carter said of CPF proposals brought to his office. “But we’re researching which suggestions will give us the most bang for our buck. (Securing federal funds) is a very competitive space, so we want to make sure we’re able to defend the position and make the case for funding.
“My staff does an incredible job working with our local communities to help shape the ‘ASK,’ if you will,” Carter continued. “While we can’t do the proposals for people, we can guide them and lend our technical support, within reason, how to shape the proposal when we bring it to Appropriations Committee on why this should be funded.”
Despite its humble population of 3,100 residents, the town of Lutcher still experiences regular traffic backups, especially along King Avenue – a main thoroughfare that runs from LA-3125 all the way past N. Main Street. Making matters worse, through the years, congestion and delays tend to intensify on King Avenue during bouts of moderate-to-heavy rain. At its worst, flooding on King Avenue makes the road impassable for vehicles and threatens nearby commercial and residential properties.
The $500,000 from the federal government will be applied toward finishing construction of a parallel roadway – an artery bypass, if you will – that will improve traffic flow and lessen the amount of standing water that accumulates when it storms.
Rep. Carter said that upon completion, the King Avenue project will not only reduce flooding but create safer driving conditions, safer walking conditions for pedestrians, provide an extra route for emergency vehicles, foster commercial advancement and increase property values.
“All of that made (King Avenue) a no-brainer to fight for,” Rep. Carter said.
The congressman shared the same sentiment when championing the many benefits of the Port of South Louisiana’s Master Drainage Plan in front of his peers in Washington, D.C. A key chess piece in domestic/international commerce, driving engine in direct and indirect job creation, and crucial link in the global supply chain, the Port of South Louisiana has continually sought ways to safely mitigate production/transportation delays caused by Mother Nature.
This Master Drainage Plan addresses exactly that.
“When you’re talking about an entity that serves commercial activity not only Louisiana, but can reach 31 different states, well, then you’re talking about the Port of South Louisiana is economic development on steroids,” Rep. Carter said. “The Port is a vital hub of international commerce, local and statewide employment, and this project has the double-effect of safeguarding our communities from flooding. So, any way you look at this, it’s all win-win scenarios for the River Parishes.
“Every chance we have to invest in the economic viability of our Port while protecting ourselves and our neighbors with better drainage is money well spent.”
A multi-phased project, the Port’s Master Drainage Plan aims to cleans existing ditches to promote better draining, widen those ditches to allow excess water safely to pool without cresting, upgrade the existing drainage infrastructure and to big out detention ponds that will remain dry pre-storm and trap water in- and post-storm.
“When you examine the Return on Investment we get when we have safer communities that are not as prone to flooding, while at the same time, enhancing the ability of our commerce through the Port…it’s something that’s worth fighting for when it comes to landing federal funding,” Rep. Carer said.
“I will always fight to bring federal dollars back home.”
