Cassidy Participates in Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for Monroe Street Project in Ruston

MONROE - This afternoon, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Monroe Street Corridor Project, which will improve roads and create more space for runners and cyclists in Ruston, including at Louisiana Tech University.

"This street is an example of when Louisiana leaders serving in Washington connect with local leaders in Louisiana. I was pleased to combine my efforts with those locally to carry out a vision that makes Ruston and Louisiana better for our citizens," said Dr. Cassidy.

Thanks in part to a $17.1 million RAISE Transportation Discretionary Grant, the Monroe Street Corridor Project has reached completion, and will yield over $3.47 in net public benefits compared to every single dollar invested. By revitalizing brownfield sites, embracing features like LED lighting and via other measures, Ruston is making the Monroe Street corridor safer for drivers, joggers, and cyclists, including at Louisiana Tech.

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) provides $7.5 billion for similar projects around the state. Just this year, over $10 million was distributed from the IIJA for projects in Lafourche, Plaquemines, and St. Tammany Parishes. Additionally, $900,000 was granted from the IIJA for the Ruston Regional Airport, and $7.5 million was secured in separate appropriations by Cassidy for utility upgrades in Ruston and for domestic semiconductor technology research at Louisiana Tech.

Cassidy was hosted at the ribbon-cutting ceremony by Louisiana Tech President Jim Henderson and Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker, who praised his leadership and advocacy for the City of Ruston.

"This project will make it easier for our neighbors, students and visitors to travel through Ruston, to get to work or class, or to enjoy our downtown," said Mayor Walker. "And it will make it safer to drive, and add to the more than 30 miles of walking and biking trails in our great city. We appreciate Senator Cassidy's support of this project, and his continued work to help us meet our infrastructure needs."

Earlier, Cassidy spoke to the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce and with members of the Lincoln Parish Police Jury, to discuss many of the opportunities available for the parish in the IIJA and via separate appropriations. Money is still available in the IIJA for roads, water and sewage projects, and flood mitigation, and Cassidy will be hosting a series of rural community funding summits this month to expose local leaders to those opportunities.

"Lincoln Parish and Louisiana Tech are examples for the rest of the state on how to build safe and livable cities and campuses. That is only possible thanks to our partnership with elected officials, business leaders and university officials dedicated to this community," said Dr. Cassidy.

At the Chamber, he was introduced to the group by Mr. Thomas Graham, chair of the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and was welcomed to the Lincoln Parish Police Jury office by Mr. Courtney Hall, the administrator for Lincoln Parish.

"We always enjoy hosting Senator Cassidy and want to thank him for providing such an engaging update to our business community," said Mr. Graham. "We are grateful to Senator Cassidy for his steadfast leadership in Washington, D.C., and for representing our interests in North Louisiana."

"We are grateful that Senator Cassidy and his staff have taken time out of their busy schedule to meet with the Lincoln Parish Police Jury to discuss Federal funding opportunities for local projects," said Mr. Hall. "Lincoln Parish is experiencing unprecedented growth and getting these Federal tax dollars back and working at the local level is critical to ensuring that our transportation infrastructure keeps up with that rapid growth."

###