State and federal officials said Thursday that completing Interstate 49 South remains a top priority, even though there is no dedicated funding for portions of the project.

The entire route would run 156 miles, from Interstate 10 in Lafayette to New Orleans, and has been divided into 14 sections, said Eric Kalivoda, deputy secretary of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development.

Seven of those sections are either completed or have total funding, Kalivoda told attendees at an Acadiana Regional Alliance meeting Thursday morning. The estimated cost for the remaining unfunded portions is about $5 billion.

Among the largest portions without funding are the section from I-10 in Lafayette to La. 88, and Wax Lake Outlet to Berwick in St. Mary Parish. The Lafayette section alone could cost about $1.1 billion.

U.S. Rep. Charles Boustany said those estimates have continued to increase over the years because of inflation.

"We're kind of chasing a moving goal post," Boustany said. "That's why we need a breakthough."

Other than funding through the federal highway bill, Boustany said other options have been discussed, including some type of infrastructure banking and public/private partnerships. So far, nothing has come of those talks, but Boustany said he remains optimistic.

"If the money were there, I think we could move forward. The major challenge we're going to have is budgetary," Boustany said. "It's a top priority for south Louisiana , the state and the country. It would create a surface route in the heart of the country, basically parallel to the Mississippi River. We know that it is the most densely populated energy corridor in the country, and it is critically important for hurricane evacuation."

Kalivoda said revenue for transportation projects comes from fuel taxes, registration and permit fees, unclaimed property and vehicle sales taxes. Because of the magnitude of the I-49 project, Kalivoda said other options have been mentioned, including bonding some of the unclaimed property, putting tolls on at least portions of the interstate or transferring money from other road projects that have never materialized.

However, many of those ideas would likely create serious political and public-policy questions.

"Tolls are not very popular in Louisiana. It's a political problem," Kalivoda said. "And when you start talking about re-programming money, those are some very hard decisions about whose projects get taken away and whose get funded."

Boustany encouraged those attending the meeting to keep the discussion going, something that will help ensure the I-49 South project remains in the minds of lawmakers and other public officials.

"Keep the enthusiasm up, keep it at the forefront," he said. "We're also open to new ideas on how to fund it, so I encourage you to share those, as well."