Louisiana Economic Development has finalized a $10 million investment to extend Judge Edward Dufresne Parkway more than two miles to LA 3127, creating a continuous connection through Esperanza Business Park in Luling.
The extension will open access to more than 1,000 acres of privately owned, undeveloped commercial and industrial property. The project will also include utility infrastructure improvements to support future development.
The money comes through FastSites, a state initiative that invests in infrastructure and other improvements to prepare properties for future economic development projects.
Construction is expected to begin in early 2027 and be completed by fall 2028.
Parish President Matthew Jewell said in a statement that the project unlocks a tremendous economic development opportunity while providing much-needed connectivity for St. Charles Parish and its residents.
“This investment will strengthen our ability to compete for major new projects, create jobs, attract private investment and support long-term growth,” Jewell said.
St. Charles Parish officials said the parish introduced the FastSites program to the family that owns Esperanza Business Park and worked with the family and LED to complete the application and finalize the agreement.
Debra Dufresne Vial, owner of Esperanza Land LLC, said in a statement that the family has worked for years to position Esperanza Business Park for long-term growth.
“LED’s FastSites investment will extend critical roadway and utility infrastructure into the undeveloped portion of the property and provide site access from LA 3127,” she said. “This direct access positions the site to compete for major projects with the speed and infrastructure readiness companies expect.”
The developed portion of Esperanza Business Park is approaching buildout and is home to a mix of distribution, industrial service and contracting companies. The road and utility improvements will open the next phase of the property for commercial and industrial development.
Esperanza Business Park is located near the foot of the Hale Boggs Bridge and offers access to Interstate 310, the Mississippi River, Union Pacific rail, Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport and the Port of South Louisiana. Major electrical transmission infrastructure and natural gas and hydrogen pipelines also cross the property, according to LED.
LED Secretary Susan B. Bourgeois said in a statement that the investment will improve access to the property and help St. Charles Parish compete for future economic development projects.
“Esperanza has the scale, location and industrial infrastructure to compete for major investment,” Bourgeois said. “FastSites allows us to build on those strengths by improving access now, before the next opportunity arrives, and gives St. Charles Parish more capacity to attract projects that can create jobs and investment for years to come.”
Under FastSites’ revolving investment model, repayment is scheduled to begin in 2028, with the full $10 million returned by mid-2033. The state can then reinvest the money in future site and infrastructure projects.
The Louisiana Legislature recently appropriated an additional $50 million to FastSites, bringing the Site Investment and Infrastructure Improvement Fund to $200 million. The program’s next application round is expected to open in October.