The Build America Bureau, the transportation infrastructure developer of the US Department of Transportation (USDOT), has granted an $88.3m loan to the Louisiana State Bond Commission to deliver the LA 415 interconnector project's first phase.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development will use the loan to construct this new connector, which will link LA 1 and LA 415 at Interstate 10 (I-10) in Port Allen, Baton Rouge Parish.

USDOT deputy transportation secretary Polly Trottenberg said: “The project is critical to improving resiliency and enhancing safety for people in the region by providing a direct connection and evacuation route for areas south of I-10.

“The new access west of LA 1 will also support regional economic growth for residents and businesses in this area.”

The project will include 4.345km of new two-lane road connecting LA 1 and I-10, bridge structures across the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, a new interchange between LA 415 and LA 1, and I-10 ramp upgrades at LA 415.

The loan comes as part of $38m in other federal financing initiatives. The project is worth $268m.

Build America Bureau executive director Morteza Farajian said: “Louisiana strategically leveraged funding from a settlement with BP to finance a bundle of projects, which helped make the loan process more efficient.

“This is the state’s seventh loan closed since 2021 for a total of $289m, accelerating delivery of critical transportation solutions including five rural projects.”

The bureau assists communities in expediting infrastructure projects and minimising project costs by offering Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing loans, as well as Transportation Infrastructure Finance, Innovation Act, and other funding.