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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 19, 2026
City of Youngsville Awarded $459,737 TAP Grant for Hwy 89 Sidewalks – Phase 1
Youngsville, LA — The City of Youngsville has been awarded $459,737 through the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development’s Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) for Phase 1 of the Hwy 89 (Youngsville Highway) Sidewalk Project.
The award includes federal funding covering 90% of the project cost, with the City providing a 10% local match as approved by Resolution No. 2025-11 of the Youngsville City Council.
The project will construct sidewalks from NuNus to Hawk Drive, improving pedestrian connectivity along one of the city’s most rapidly developing corridors.
“This project directly supports the priorities identified in our Comprehensive Master Plan and Transportation Master Plan,” said Mayor Ken Ritter. “As our community has grown, connectivity, walkability, and public safety have remained top priorities. This investment helps close critical sidewalk gaps and provides safer access to residential areas, schools, churches, retail, medical offices, and City facilities.”
According to DOTD, 60 project applications totaling more than $106 million were submitted during the 2025 TAP cycle. Youngsville’s project was selected as part of the statewide award list.
The grant application was prepared in partnership with McBade Engineers and Consultants, whose expertise continues to help position Youngsville competitively for state and federal infrastructure funding.
Phase 1 is part of a broader corridor improvement strategy that includes ongoing roadway widening and future phases of sidewalk expansion along Hwy 89.
The City will manage the design phase locally in coordination with its engineering team. Following completion of design and receipt of project authorization, the project will advance through DOTD’s federally required bid and letting process prior to construction.
Saturday, February 14, 2026 at 11am
𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒚 – Roads close at 9am. Some roads may close earlier due to traffic congestion and gridlock. Once gridlock occurs, cars can no longer navigate the roadway which forces the road to be closed earlier than the scheduled time.
We recommend that you plan on getting to your spot for the parade early and do not wait until the roads are scheduled to close as you may not make it. Once roads are closed, there will be no exceptions for anyone needing to get to their home, business, and/or spot along the route.
𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 – There will be NO PARKING along the parade route, Chemin Metairie Pkwy. median, or southbound bike lane. No parking in the public right of way; violators will be towed. No moving of barricades or port-o-lets as fines will be imposed. The Youngsville Sports Complex has public parking available at the following lots: LeBlanc Honda & Kia Soccer Parking, NuNu’sBaseball Parking, & Sports Complex Expansion parking lot off Détente Road. These will be the only lots available for parking at the Youngsville Sports Complex and are first come, first serve.
Setup – Setup along the parade route can take place beginning on the morning of the parade. Staking city medians, sidewalks, and road right of ways (area generally between telephone poles and the street) prior to the morning of the parade is strictly prohibited. This interferes with regular city maintenance and parade setup of barricades, port-o lets, etc. Any personal items, along the parade route on public property before the morning of the parade are subject to immediate removal. Please remove all belongings at the end of the parade. Clean up crews will be out early on Sunday and will discard any personal items remaining along the route.
𝑺𝒂𝒇𝒆𝒕𝒚 – Stay behind barricades and out of the street during the parade. No glass bottles or containers, no drones, no pets, and no fireworks. Catch beads and throws but DO NOT throw anything back. We ask everyone to do their part to act responsibly.
𝑷𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇 – Plan to spend the day. Be nice. Be neighborly.
𝑰𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒅𝒆 – We strive to provide a family-friendly parade. However, the Youngsville Mardi Gras parade is an independent parade not managed by a Mardi Gras krewe or association. We have expectations and rules in place for participants but if you offend easily this may not be the parade for you. Free speech and political paraphernalia is not restricted by the city.
𝑭𝒍𝒐𝒂𝒕 𝒄𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒔 / 𝒅𝒓𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒔 – Specific guidance will be provided at the mandatory meeting.
See These Safety Tips from the Youngsville Police Department
The Youngsville Sports Complex is excited to announce the 6th Annual Mardi Gras Mambo, NCAA Collegiate Fast Pitch Softball Tournament will be held February 13-15, 2026!
The US National Weather Service Lake Charles Louisiana has advised that our area will have very cold temperatures with possible rain beginning late Sunday and into next week.
The National Weather Service has created a direct link to a detailed Lafayette Parish forecast, giving residents clear, reliable, and easy-to-understand weather information.
We encourage residents, partners, and the public to use and share this resource as we monitor ongoing cold weather conditions.
City crews stand ready 24/7 with salt and barricades for bridges and roadways and will respond accordingly. Please respect any barricades. These are for your safety.
Lafayette Consolidated Government is opening a Warming Shelter at 6PM Saturday Jan 24th at the Dupuis Recreation Center (1212 E. Pont Des Mouton Road). If you or someone you know needs a warm place, please take advantage of this resource.
Any Waste Management schedule changes will be communicated if necessary.
Youngsville city offices will be delayed opening on Monday until 10am although essential services are available 24/7. Many services remain available online:
For utility & citation payments:
To start or stop utility and garbage service:
Permitting:
Report Issues:
If you encounter issues during the storm, please report them to the City of Youngsville by calling 337-856-4181 or submitting them online at https://www.youngsville.us/contacts/report-a-problem/ For Police and Fire – Call 911.
In addition to this notification, you may Sign up for emergency alerts at:
Sign up now: Text “JOIN LFTALERT” to 31002
More info: lafayettela.gov/alert
City of Youngsville Announces New Development Anchored by Ochsner:
Parc Bonin | 2807 Bonin Road | www.parcbonin.com
Youngsville, LA – The City of Youngsville is excited to announce Parc Bonin, a new mixed-use development coming soon to 2807 Bonin Road that will bring expanded medical, office, and retail opportunities to our community.
At the heart of the project is 9,100 sq. ft. of Ochsner affiliated medical clinics, creating a destination for healthcare providers and services that will allow residents to stay closer to home for their medical needs. Parc Bonin will also feature 12,000 sq. ft. of professional office space and 10,000 sq. ft. of retail space available for development.
“We’re proud to partner with Ochsner and the City of Youngsville to bring this project forward. Parc Bonin is designed to meet the needs of a growing community providing quality healthcare options, creating professional job opportunities, and offering space for businesses that will thrive alongside this momentum.” said Phil Devey – Developer
“Youngsville is one of the fastest-growing cities in Louisiana, and we’re proud to be part of its momentum. By anchoring Parc Bonin with new medical clinics, Ochsner is helping ensure families have access to high-quality care right here in the community, while also supporting the city’s continued growth and vitality. This project reflects our ongoing leadership in bringing innovative healthcare solutions to where people live, work and raise their families,” said Patrick Gandy, chief executive officer, Ochsner Lafayette General.
“With Ochsner anchoring Parc Bonin, this project not only brings professional jobs to Youngsville but also delivers the kind of healthcare access families want close to home. I appreciate Ochsner and Phil Devey with Frontline Louisiana for investing in Youngsville and helping us meet this need. Together, we’re building a community where residents can work, shop, and receive quality care without leaving the city they call home.”– Mayor Ken Ritter
Youngsville Highway Update: Two Lanes Reopened
Mayor Ken Ritter announced today that two lanes of the previously closed portion of Youngsville Highway are now open to traffic. Construction continues as crews work alongside live traffic to complete the additional lanes.
The Ivy Cottage/Youngsville Highway intersection will remain closed until drainage work at the intersection is complete. Motorists may also notice some uneven transitions until the final asphalt lift is placed across all sections of the highway.
Remaining work in this phase:
Next steps:
Once this section is finished, crews will move on to Heart D Farm to Ambassador, then Fortune to Griffin.
Mayor Ken Ritter stated “Reopening two lanes is another great milestone in this project, but more work lies ahead. Each phase moves us closer to delivering a safer, more efficient roadway that will serve Youngsville well into the future. Thank you for your patience and for driving with caution as we continue this progress.”
In a joint effort between the City of Broussard and the City of Youngsville, a major step forward in regional infrastructure has arrived with the opening of the long-anticipated Broussard/Youngsville Connector. This newly completed roadway links West Fairfield Road in Broussard to Youngsville Highway in Youngsville and provides a faster, more direct route between the two growing cities.
“This project is a great example of what neighboring communities can accomplish when we work together,” said Youngsville Mayor Ken Ritter. “Improving road infrastructure and traffic flow doesn’t stop at city limits — it requires regional cooperation and a shared vision. We’re proud to partner with Mayor Ray Bourque and the City of Broussard to create more efficient, reliable routes that support the continued growth of southern Lafayette Parish.”
As the connector opens, the next critical milestone begins. The City of Youngsville will temporarily close Youngsville Highway from Heart D Farm Road to Fortune Road for approximately 90 days. This closure allows for a major expansion and reconstruction project that will ultimately widen the highway to 4–5 lanes.
“We’ve scheduled this phase during the summer months to reduce the impact on school traffic and accelerate progress,” said Mayor Ritter. “We ask for the public’s patience as we continue investing in the long-term traffic solutions our city needs.”
During the closure, motorists can use alternate routes such as:
These improvements are part of a larger plan to enhance connectivity, reduce congestion, and improve safety for all who live and work in our growing area.
Congratulations to Mayor Ken Ritter who was honored to receive the Patron of Architecture award from the Louisiana Architecture Foundation at the AIA Louisiana Conference on Architecture. The LAF Board of Regents recognizes non-architect individuals whose good works have encouraged, fostered, or promoted public understanding and appreciation of quality in Louisiana architecture and who have inspired the advancement of architecture through their notable works. He was nominated by the AIA South Louisiana Chapter.
July 30, 2022 – The City of Youngsville won first place in the Louisiana Municipal Association Community Achievement Awards for outstanding community improvement in community development for our new Municipal Complex. It was a proud moment accepting this award on behalf of our citizens, along with members of our city council and administration! It was also great to see Lafayette, Scott, & Carencro be recognized for projects in their respective cities and categories as well!
As the city of Youngsville continues to grow, it’s important that no part of our city is left behind and that we improve together as one city. Mayor Ken Ritter is thrilled that the plans for this project are complete and he is excited to get it underway in 2022!
