The Youngsville City Council on June 12 approved an intergovernmental agreement to redesignate the Lafayette Metropolitan Planning Organization as the Acadiana Metropolitan Planning Organization and heard presentations and project updates from Acadiana Planning Commission staff and city engineers.

Sarah Fossigari, CEO of the Acadiana Planning Commission, told the council federal guidance following the 2020 census required agency members to re-sign an intergovernmental agreement after boundary changes; the city is a member of the MPO and has active projects in the MPO program, including the “Lower VA” project and recent overlays such as Fortune Road. Fossigari and Ashley Moran, the commission’s planning and policy manager, commended Youngsville’s bike-and‑ped work and offered technical assistance.

Council and staff discussed multiple transportation projects and milestones: the Fortune Road roundabout and extension is more than 85% complete and crews have moved to work on Highway 89; the LaSalle Regional Detention Pond will have a groundbreaking on June 26 (the city said the project is about 80% grant‑funded); the city is pursuing additional overlays on East Milton and Iberia Street pending reallocation of MPO funds; and planners discussed a roundabout at the Vero/Savoy intersection that would be federally funded (speaker described it as 100% federal funds) and could include slip lanes or turn lanes depending on final design.

Pam, the city’s design engineer, described work under way: Fortune Road final punch-list items with DOTD paperwork in progress, Lariviere Road groundbreaking preparations and continued design work on Highway 92 and other sidewalk/overlay efforts. City staff also said they are pursuing grant funding and coordinating with DOTD on scope and design for larger corridor projects.

Mayor Ritter and staff reiterated that being a member of the MPO and working with the planning commission provides technical and grant-writing support. The council approved the MPO intergovernmental agreement by motion and vote during the meeting.

Ending: The MPO agreement passed and staff said the city will move forward with the scheduled groundbreaking for LaSalle Regional Detention Pond and continue negotiating funding and design details for Vero, East Milton and other priority corridors; Acadiana Planning Commission staff offered direct technical support for bike-and-ped safety work.