COTEAU, La. (KLFY) – The DOTD will straighten a 1.3 mile section of LA 88 in Iberia Parish. The realigned road will get rid of two sharp curves and be able accommodate larger trucks.

LA 88 provides access to the Acadiana Regional Airport, its industrial park, and the proposed Progress Point business park.

Iberia Parish President Larry Richard said the goal is to make the airport an international cargo facility. He said the parish has been talking to major trucking and transportation companies about moving into the parish.

Richard said those companies always consider stem times – the amount of time it takes for trucks to pick up cargo and deliver it to the destination.

“We’re trying to reduce that stem time,” Richard explained. “That’s the reason for (LA) 88 being straightened so you can get the curves out and get to the airport quicker.”    

The speed limit on LA 88 drops to 35 miles per hour to let traffic get around the curves. It’s hardly ideal for trucks carrying cargo to and from the airport or industrial park.

It’s even worse to the west where there’s a 25 miles per hour school zone at Coteau Elementary School and Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church.

“We’re trying to set everything up to where it’s going to be user friendly for the companies that are here and user friendly for the companies that we hope to come here,” Richard said.

The DOTD said the road realignment will cost $3.2 million. Richard said the federal government is paying for the entire project.

The DOTD said the project should go out for bid in June 2019. It’s expected to be completed in summer 2020.