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Council authorizes mayor to finalize agreement for Acadiana Metropolitan Planning Organization redesignation
Summary
Council approved authority for the mayor to negotiate and execute agreements for redesignating the Louisiana Metropolitan Planning Organization as the Acadiana MPO; Acadiana Planning Commission director described projects including a $1 million Iberia Street project and a $1.4 million US 90 frontage-road extension.
The council approved a resolution authorizing the mayor to negotiate and execute an agreement to redesignate the existing Louisiana Metropolitan Planning Organization as the Acadiana Metropolitan Planning Organization and to adopt an updated governance agreement. The Acadiana Planning Commission’s transportation director described the change as required following 2020s census-driven changes to the urbanized area and the addition of the City of Abbeville as a member.
Sarah Gary, CEO and transportation director of the Acadiana Planning Commission, told the council that New Iberia is a continuing MPO member and highlighted existing federal-aid projects in the city’s pipeline, including a $1 million Iberia Street pavement preservation and bicycle improvements project and a $1.4 million US 90 frontage-road extension. Gary said, “You guys have a couple projects with us… one of them is the US 90 frontage road extension… The Iberia Street is a $1,000,000. The front of road is 1.4.” She also listed two overlay projects on state routes LA 3156 and LA 86.
Gary described the current status of the US 90 frontage-road project as under design with Stanley Consulting; she said the project will enter a right-of-way phase after plans reach about 65% and noted right-of-way negotiations and utility relocations will follow before construction can begin.
Council members asked about timing and said the city has seen a positive return on investment from MPO membership. The council moved and seconded the resolution to authorize the mayor to finalize the MPO governance agreement and directed staff to complete the required local actions to maintain the city’s participation in the MPO.
The agreement update is necessary to keep the city eligible for federal transportation funding through the MPO and to maintain the local prioritization of the projects noted by the planning commission.
