Lafayette Lands $28 Million Federal Grant to Replace Kaliste Saloom–U.S. 90 Signal With Major Interchange

The Lafayette area has landed a $28 million federal infrastructure grant aimed at eliminating a nationally significant freight bottleneck at Kaliste Saloom Road and U.S. 90.

The U.S. Department of Transportation announced the award October 1 through its INFRA program. According to USDOT, Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government will use the funding to advance conversion of the existing signalized intersection into a grade-separated interchange, including ramps, flyover bridges and related roadway improvements.

The federal description covers approximately 2.2 miles of Kaliste Saloom Road and 3.5 miles of U.S. 90. USDOT says the project would eliminate one of the nation's top 100 freight bottlenecks.

Why This Intersection Matters

U.S. 90 is one of Acadiana's most important commercial corridors and is part of the long-planned future Interstate 49 South route. Kaliste Saloom Road also carries heavy local traffic through a rapidly developed part of Lafayette Parish.

Replacing the traffic signal with a grade-separated interchange would allow through traffic on the major corridor to move without stopping at the intersection while ramps and connecting roads handle local movements.

The award was one of 12 INFRA grants announced nationwide, totaling $426 million.

What the Grant Does — and Does Not Mean

The $28 million award is a major funding milestone, but it does not mean the entire interchange will be completed immediately. Large highway projects still move through engineering, right-of-way, environmental and construction phases, and the final schedule and total project cost can exceed the amount of a single federal grant.

Still, the federal award puts substantial outside money behind a project with direct implications for Acadiana commuters, freight movement and the future I-49 South corridor.

For Lafayette, the practical significance is straightforward: a busy signalized intersection that has long mixed local traffic with a major freight route is now closer to becoming a full interchange.

Source Notes

U.S. Department of Transportation, Oct. 1, 2026: https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/trumps-transportation-secretary-sean-p-duffy-invests-426-million-eliminate

Buc-ee's Sets November 9 Groundbreaking for $82 Million Lafayette Travel Center

After years of anticipation, Buc-ee's has put a date on the start of its Lafayette project.

The company plans to hold a groundbreaking ceremony November 9 at 11 a.m. at the future travel-center site near Louisiana Avenue and Interstate 10. The planned 74,000-square-foot store is expected to include roughly 120 fuel positions and nearly 700 parking spaces.

Lafayette Economic Development Authority previously placed the total project investment at approximately $82 million, including about $12.5 million in public infrastructure improvements.

150 Jobs and a Major I-10 Development

The Lafayette project is expected to create at least 150 jobs, with previously announced starting pay of $17 per hour.

The development is significant not only because of the Buc-ee's brand but because of its location at one of Lafayette's major interstate gateways. Public infrastructure improvements associated with the project are intended to accommodate the additional traffic and development around the Louisiana Avenue interchange.

Reports have pointed to an early-2028 completion target, although the company did not announce a firm opening date with the September 30 groundbreaking announcement.

From Announcement to Construction

Buc-ee's selected Lafayette for the project in 2024, but major developments can spend years moving through land acquisition, design, infrastructure and permitting before construction becomes visible.

The November groundbreaking gives the project a concrete next milestone.

For Lafayette, the store will add a large retail employer and another destination along the I-10 corridor. It could also increase development pressure around the interchange as restaurants, hotels and other businesses seek locations near the traffic generated by the travel center.

Louisiana's First Buc-ee's Race

Lafayette is not the only Louisiana community getting a Buc-ee's. A separate store is under development in Ruston.

That creates a small race over which Louisiana location opens first. Current reporting points to the Ruston store being completed before Lafayette, but construction schedules can change.

What is now certain is that the South Louisiana project has moved beyond an announced site. On November 9, Buc-ee's plans to formally break ground in Lafayette.

Source Notes

Acadiana News First/KPLC, Sept. 30, 2026: https://www.kplctv.com/2026/09/30/buc-ees-announces-groundbreaking-lafayette/

WBRZ, Sept. 30, 2026: https://www.wbrz.com/news/buc-ee-s-breaking-ground-on-lafayette-location-in-november-reports-say

Buc-ee's official website: https://buc-ees.com/

SpaceX Is Reviving a Lafayette Highway Idea That Has Been Talked About for Decades

For years, the proposed Lafayette Loop has been one of those Acadiana infrastructure ideas that never quite disappeared — but never became reality either.

SpaceX may be changing that conversation.

The Lafayette Metropolitan Expressway Commission is preparing to reopen discussion over development of a western portion of an expressway around Lafayette, with the enormous Starbase Louisiana project planned for neighboring Vermilion Parish adding new urgency to the issue.

A commission meeting is scheduled for September 29.

The idea is worth watching because this isn't simply about making it easier to drive around Lafayette.

Acadiana may soon have to determine whether its existing transportation infrastructure is capable of supporting the type of economic growth now being discussed for the region.

SpaceX Changes the Equation

SpaceX's planned development near Pecan Island could eventually bring thousands of workers, contractors, suppliers and truck movements into an area that was never designed around a project of that scale.

Much of that activity will inevitably connect back to Lafayette and the surrounding communities.

That creates a basic infrastructure question:

How will everyone get there?

Local officials have begun discussing whether the western portion of the long-proposed Lafayette expressway could provide another transportation route connecting the Lafayette area with Vermilion Parish.

The proposal isn't new.

What is new is the potential demand.

A road project that may have been difficult to justify based solely on existing traffic patterns can look considerably different when a $100 billion aerospace development is planned nearby.

Iberia and Vermilion Now Have a Voice

The Louisiana Legislature also made an important change this year.

Legislation expanded the Lafayette Metropolitan Expressway Commission from 11 to 13 members, adding appointments from both the Vermilion Parish Police Jury president and Iberia Parish president.

The commission's jurisdiction was also expanded.

That matters because the economic effects of Starbase Louisiana won't stop at a parish line.

Workers could commute from Lafayette, Iberia and surrounding parishes.

Contractors may stage equipment elsewhere in Acadiana.

Suppliers could operate from industrial facilities throughout the region.

And major components may need to move through highways, ports and other transportation infrastructure that stretches far beyond the SpaceX property.

Infrastructure Has to Come Before the Traffic

Louisiana has spent enormous energy attracting major economic development projects.

Now comes another challenge.

Infrastructure has to keep up.

Roads, bridges, electrical generation, transmission systems, water, sewer and industrial sites aren't particularly glamorous pieces of economic development.

But they frequently determine whether growth actually works.

Acadiana residents already know what happens when development moves faster than road capacity.

SpaceX raises the stakes considerably.

The September 29 meeting doesn't mean the Lafayette Loop is suddenly being built. Major transportation projects require planning, environmental work, financing and years of development.

But after decades of discussion, the project now has something it hasn't always had:

A potentially transformative economic development project creating an entirely new reason to reconsider it.

SpaceX may be building rockets in Vermilion Parish.

But the infrastructure needed to support them could reshape a much larger portion of Acadiana.

BILLS CREATE TWO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN LAFAYETTE

BATON ROUGE, La. – State Senator Gerald Boudreaux’s bills creating two economic development districts in Lafayette gained final passage today and now head to the Governor’s Office for his signature.  Senate Bills 480 and 481 allow the Lafayette Economic Development Authority and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette to attract new businesses and create jobs within the newly established taxing districts.

SB 480 repeals the North Lafayette Redevelopment Authority encompassing those duties and powers within the work of the Lafayette Economic Development Authority (LEDA) so it can move forward with an action plan to revitalize distressed areas of the parish. Senator Boudreaux testified that this bill gives LEDA the ability to leverage proven economic and community development strategies to help citizens understand how to redevelop neighborhoods while also supporting small/minority businesses. 

“This legislation effectively re-energizes several efforts to improve north Lafayette and encourages all stakeholders to work collaboratively in making progress quickly towards our collective goals,” said Senator Boudreaux. 

Additionally, SB 481 enables the University of Louisiana at Lafayette to foster economic development on its university owned property.  The campus envisions the possibility of adding an additional hotel as well as a performing arts center as a result of this legislation.  Supporters of the action say it could also create a wide range of community amenities and allows the university to make infrastructure improvements to assets of the college.  Similar legislation was passed for Louisiana State University and Southern University in 2023.

“At the end of the day, the university will now be able to leverage its taxes to responsibly develop its properties in service to the entire Lafayette community,” said Boudreaux.  “Supporting UL-Lafayette grows one of our most cherished institutions and makes our city a great place to live and work,”

The 2024 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature began on March 11, 2024 and must adjourn no later than 6:00 pm on Monday, June 3rd.  For more information on legislation being considered during the session, go to www.legis.la.gov.  

Walter Campbell Announces his Candidacy for Lafayette Parish Assessor

For Immediate Release

January 25, 2023- Lafayette, LA

Long time Lafayette Parish realtor, Walter Campbell announces his candidacy for Lafayette Parish Assessor.

Walter Campbell, a resident of Lafayette, is a husband of 30 years, father of two, business owner, and community leader. As a REALTOR for nearly 25 years, he has developed extraordinary skills in leadership, sales, marketing, technology, communication, and a desire to help others achieve their aspirations.

He has been active in leadership on the local and State REALTOR® Boards and participates regularly in various non-profit organizations including Lafayette Habitat for Humanity, Kiwanis of Acadiana, Boy Scouts of America, and most recently asked to serve with the Salvation Army Board of Directors.

Walter is a graduate of USL (1992) and is also a military veteran (1986- 1992), a life long Republican, and prides himself as a supporter of UL Lafayette, LSU, and the New Orleans Saints. In his spare time, Walter enjoys family time with his two grandchildren, fishing, and staying healthy.

Water Campbell is running for Assessor of Lafayette Parish to bring transparency and fairness. Additionally, Campbell will add cutting edge technology for easier public access to filings and records within the Assessor's office.

Campbell states, “People work hard, pay taxes, and expect government services and departments to get it right the first time. However, that does not always happen. I plan on bringing my decades of leadership experience to make sure the Assessor’s office is streamlined and is equipped to provide accurate and fair assessments to the citizens of Lafayette Parish.”

Full Interview with Lafayette Mayor President Josh Guillory, wife Jamie

KLFY’s full interview with Josh Guillory and his wife, Jamie, on his recent inpatient treatment for substance abuse and PTSD, and issues surrounding his position as Lafayette Mayor President.

Lafayette Mayor-President Josh Guillory checks himself into rehab for alcohol, PTSD issues

Lafayette Parish Mayor-President Josh Guillory announced today in a press release that he has voluntarily checked himself into rehab for “an addiction to alcohol and untreated Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.”

Guillory reported he will be attending in-patient rehabilitation for 21 days. Guillory stated he will remain in contact with Lafayette City-Parish Attorney Greg Logan and Chief Administrative Officer Cydra Wingerter to continue his duties while in rehab.

Read more: Lafayette Mayor-President Josh Guillory checks himself into rehab for alcohol, PTSD issues

Lafayette Mayor-President Josh Guillory checks himself into rehab for alcohol, PTSD issues https://t.co/y15tnrZRwy

— KLFY NEWS 10 (@KLFY) July 25, 2022