At a time when many urban areas are talking about tearing down elevated interstates built decades ago, Lafayette is just beginning to talk seriously about how best to build a new one through the middle of the city.

The potential downsides of big, elevated roadways — that they can divide communities, foul local traffic patterns and shadow out quality development — are widely known.

But state and local officials hope a planning effort launched in  October for the Interstate 49 Connector will lead to a project that not only does no harm but actually makes things better.

 

“The I-49 Lafayette Connector Project offers an opportunity to transform a key gateway corridor from an eyesore to something our community can be proud of,” One Acadiana President and CEO Jason El Koubi said in a statement.