By LEONARD GRAY

LAPLACE – The long, tense wait is nearly over, as residents around southeast Louisiana, especially in St. James Parish, await a decision on where the Louisiana Airport Authority wants to locate a major intermodal transport facility.

“We’ll be reporting back the end of July or early August,” said Win Beyea of URS Corp., currently wrapping up the site-selection study examining potential sites from Baton Rouge to New Orleans. Beyea’s comments came at a recent meeting of the airport authority at its LaPlace office.

However, as he has pointed out in the past, several criteria are swinging the LAA consultant to the River Parishes, including ready access to the Mississippi River. Other criteria considered vital include avoiding existing municipalities, airspace of other airports, population centers, school, parks, wetlands and major industrial sites.

The study is narrowing it down from the original 2.6 million-acre area even further by examining the geology of the sites, saying, “Is it really feasible?”

The company is also using satellite photos to help determine a site, but also some field work with on-site visits, so nothing is overlooked, such as historic resources.

Further, a site is being sought which will be suitable for possible expansion of the facility into the foreseeable future, at least 50 years.

“We have to put the right site together that can expand in the long term,” Beyea said.

Chairman Glen Smith reported on pre-conferences on requests for qualifications with potential investors, some of whom are starting to work together on this multi-million project, which could create as many as 20,000 jobs.

“The investors are getting antsy,” Smith said. “We’re getting very close to a decision on the sites.”

Nick Baroni of Jefferson Parish took the opportunity to address persons who have organized opposition to the project for political purposes. “There appears to be an effort to undermine our earnest efforts,” he said, and added, “I’m taking it very personal. It’s burning me big time.”

At-large member Kenneth Peny added, “We’ve done a damn good job at keeping politics out of this. The old politics is not going to stop this project.”

The commission’s next meeting is set July 18.