Louisiana
There are plans to extend I-49 in both directions. First, US 90 between Lafayette and New Orleans will be upgraded into an Interstate-standard freeway. Also, I-49 will be extended north of Shreveport through Texarkana, Fort Smith and Fayetteville, AR to Joplin, MO, and on to Kansas City. The northward extension is expected to incorporate parts of US 71 and I-540, plus the planned I-130 in Texarkana.