Metropolitan Planning Organization Explores Extension Of Road Across Vermilion River

Does the south side of Lafayette need another Vermilion River bridge crossing? That's the question being explored by members of the Metropolitan Planning Organization.

City-Parish Council member Don Bertrand said that with growth in the city of Lafayette projected to increase by another 90,000 in the next 20 years, now is the time to look into the possible extension of South City Parkway, a project that could ultimately cross the Vermilion River and end at Verot School Road.

That potential project could also help to relieve traffic on Ambassador Caffery Parkway.

According to figures obtained by the Acadiana Advocate, 42,785 vehicles each day crossed the Vermilion River bridge on Ambassador Caffery Parkway in 1997. Today that figure is 55,600. That figure is estimated to reach 69,000 vehicles per day by 2040.

"Just a few years ago, [Ambassador Caffery] was a parking lot at Christmas time is now a parking lot day in and day out," Bertrand said.

To listen to the full interview with Bertand, click on the 'Play' button below.