LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) – Lafayette Mayor-President Monique Boulet has announced an ambitious infrastructure undertaking for a major corridor of the city.

Boulet has officially launched the Bertrand Drive Revitalization project, a venture aimed at allowing easier walking and bicycle traffic along Bertrand Drive, in a Friday news release.

“The revitalization of Bertrand Drive gives us the opportunity to begin an urban trail path connecting Cajun Field with Moncus Park,” Boulet said. “We’re creating a space that prioritizes people — whether they’re walking, biking, driving, or simply enjoying the area’s amenities."

Boulet said the project would connect more than three miles of urban trails from Moncus Park to Blackham Coliseum, and will serve as a launching pad for a Johnston Street revitalization project.

The plan includes:

• Accessible, 12-foot shared-use pathways on the west side of Bertrand for walkers, runners, cyclists, and strollers.
• 6-foot sidewalks on the east side of Bertrand.
• Traffic flow improvements to enhance safety.

Boulet said Bertrand Drive faces issues including incomplete sidewalks, limited ADA accessibility, utility pole obstructions and excessive driveway access. The project aims to address these issues through comprehensive streetscape improvements.

The plan also includes artist murals and signs, outdoor patios and street trees and lighting and landscaping for added safety and visual appeal.

The release did not provide an estimate of the potential cost of the project.

LCG will host a public meeting on Dec. 18 from 6-8 p.m. in South Louisiana Community College (SoLaCC)’s Devalcourt Auditorium, located at 320 Devalcourt St., to hear from nearby residents and stakeholders.

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