INFRASTRUCTURE HIGHWAYS SMIG’s first committee was formed in 1975 to address the need for the completion of four-lane U. S. Highway 90 between Morgan City and New Orleans, Louisiana. v In late 1989, with the last 20 mile section of highway from Morgan City to Houma, Louisiana still not complete and the lack of state funds specifically dedicated to highway construction, SMIG strongly urged state legislators to support the concept of a Highway Trust Fund. v The ribbon cutting for the final 20 miles was held on July 21, 1999. v The Editorial Comments in the July 21, 1999 edition of the Morgan City Daily Review said of SMIG, “Our St. Mary Industrial Group was the proverbial thorn in state and federal governments’ sides as the project dragged on and on. Their persistence kept the project as close to the top, if not at the top, of the highway construction priority list year after year.” SMIG monitors the progress and supports the completion of the I-49 corridor from Lafayette to New Orleans v SMIG provides an annual donation to the I-49 International Coalition to support their effort. WATERWAYS The need for connecting the deep waters of the gulf with the Atchafalya River in order to provide an easier outlet for goods being produced in Southwest Louisiana has been evident since the 1800’s. In 1968 Congress authorized dredging projects in the Atchafalaya River and the Bayous Chene, Boeuf, and Black to accommodate the needs of industry. In 1978 the Atchafalaya River and Bayous Chene, Boeuf, and Black project was cut from the budget by President Carter until a study for environmental, safety, and economic necessity could be completed. v Twenty members of SMIG accompanied local officials to Washington to voice their disapproval and to deliver over 10,000 signatures protesting the President’s decision. v A five page letter consisting of chronological data beginning when the project was authorized, confirming that all environmental, safety, and economic requirements had been met was presented to Louisiana Senator J. Bennett Johnston. v Congress overrode the President’s decision, and funds were secured for the project. In early 1997 SMIG formed a Deepwater Committee to focus on the problems facing marine and petroleum industries. v Limited water depths due to siltation and flooding in the Atchafalaya River system began to create a negative impact on the community. v Numerous oil companies and related service companies were leaving the area. v Recognizing the magnitude of the problem, the committee sought the involvement of members of government, civic and business organizations, the oil and gas industry, and marine related industries that were impacted by the river and the Intra-Coastal Waterway. v This marked the beginning of the Atchafalaya River Coalition. SMIG was instrumental in getting the Atchafalaya River channel more adequately marked in order to enhance safety conditions for marine traffic. SMIG continues to support activities to achieve the congressionally authorized 20’ deep navigation channel designation for the Atchafalaya River and the surrounding harbor district waterways. v SMIG believes that consistently achieving a navigable waterway is the missing link to a stronger economy. v With a four-lane highway, local airport, Intra-Coastal Waterway, and a railway that connect the Port of Morgan City to all areas of the United States already in place, further deepening of the channel would enhance the ability to move goods across the entire country and to other countries and to enhance participation in deep water activities.