BATON ROUGE, LA — Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) Secretary Glenn Ledet Jr. announces the selection of Stantec to lead the next phase of planning and environmental review for the proposed St. Bernard Transportation Corridor, a critical transportation connection supporting the future Louisiana International Terminal (LIT) and the long-term economic growth of southeast Louisiana.

The consultant team will conduct engineering, environmental, traffic, and public engagement activities required to prepare a federally mandated environmental document and secure environmental approval for the project through the National Environmental Policy Act process. The work will evaluate corridor alternatives, identify a preferred route, and assess environmental and community impacts.

The proposed St. Bernard Transportation Corridor would improve connectivity between lower St. Bernard Parish and the interstate system while providing a dedicated freight route for the proposed LIT. The corridor would enhance regional mobility, reduce truck traffic on local roads, improve safety, support economic development, and strengthen hurricane evacuation capabilities for residents and businesses throughout the region.

“Initiating the environmental impact statement marks a significant milestone in moving this important project forward,” Ledet said. “This next phase will also provide the detailed analysis, engineering evaluations, and public engagement necessary to identify the best corridor alternative and secure federal environmental approval. Throughout this process, DOTD remains committed to transparency, environmental stewardship, and meaningful community involvement as we evaluate solutions that improve mobility, safety, resilience, and economic opportunity for Louisiana.”

The corridor planning effort is supported by $25 million in federal funding and is being advanced through a cooperative partnership among DOTD, the Port of New Orleans, and St. Bernard Parish.