Lafayette Parish in Louisiana has completely reworked its approach to critical infrastructure projects after establishing a Capital Improvements Department (CID) and launching an online interactive map tracking $186 million in upcoming capital projects.
The reorganization follows an in-depth review of the Lafayette Consolidated Government’s (LCG) Public Works structure. With a concentrated CID now assuming control of the majority of capital projects, the department will be able to better prioritize streamlined development and efficient capital project delivery. The departments for Drainage and Traffic, Roads and Bridges will remain independent to empower concentrated focus on essential initiatives.
The CID will establish consistent standards for scheduling, budgeting, reporting and performance monitoring as the latest step in the parish’s efforts to improve accountability and transparency in government operations. As part of the reorganization effort, the LCG launched a new Capital Improvements Map providing insight into the parish’s ongoing and planned projects.
The dashboard provides information on 35 active construction projects, totaling a $186 million investment in the parish’s infrastructure. Residents can use the dashboard to access real-time project information, including locations, timelines and status updates. Lafayette Utilities System, LFT Fiber and routine maintenance projects are excluded from the list.
A selection of the largest projects featured on the dashboard include:
- The Bayou Vermilion Flood Control project at Homewood Drive, allocating $66 million to build four detention ponds covering 118 acres.
- The Bayou Vermilion Flood Control project at Coulee Ile des Cannes, allocating $25 million to build four detention ponds covering 77.1 acres.
- Improvements to University Avenue, costing $18.5 million to build sidewalks, a raised center median, street lighting, underpass pump station improvements, asphalt overlay, pavement striping and high-visibility crosswalks.
- Asbestos abatement and renovations for the Lafayette Parish Courthouse, totaling $12.5 million to demolish and rebuild fire-rated walls for the building and upgrades to public restrooms, HVAC systems, ceilings and lights on the affected floors.
- The Louisiana Avenue Extension, costing $10 million to build a 0.4-mile, four-lane roadway. The work will include replacing a bridge and building a roundabout, sidewalks, drainage improvements, street lighting and water line enhancements.
Photo by David Wilson, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, from Wikimedia Commons
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