Plans for exit hits snag

RAYNE – A planned new I-10 exit in East Rayne, which Rayne Mayor Jim Petitjean was hoping would bring new business to his city, may have hit a snag. Petitjean was looking for money to build the new exit which will be built near the proposed Frogland Water Park.

“I’ve worked with him on many issues but on this project we don’t agree,” says Petitjean in reference to U.S. Representative Charles Boustany.

Boustany says members of congress slip funding requests into bill that have already been voted through. Boustany, who is opposed to that, says he’ll wait until 2009 for a highway bill that is designed to fully fund projects like the Rayne interchange. Petitjean fears that the delay could slow construction of the proposed water park.

“It eliminates one avenue of potential funding sources for the project,” he said.

Even though he agrees it’s a setback, Petitjean insists the project isn’t dead. Senators David Vitter and Mary Landrieu have expressed interest to fund the interchange and Boustany’s office insists he is still committed to fully funding the project.

Petitjean does acknowledge that he may be at a disadvantage versus projects in other congressional areas.