The prospect of a free-standing emergency medical facility on the southside of the railroad tracks in New Iberia is not likely at this time, according to a recent study from local medical professionals.

The study came after local officials and residents expressed concerns that passing trains could prevent ambulances from carrying critical patients to area hospitals across the tracks.

At the request of the Iberia Parish Council, Iberia Medical Center President John Tucker presented his findings to the council at its July 9 meeting.

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“We kept an open mind, but after our research, we realize it’s probably not practical,” Tucker said.

Tucker said a free-standing emergency room does not have the full capabilities of a hospital, which puts patients at a higher risk if taken there.

He said ambulance companies place themselves at a higher liability when bringing patients to a 24-hour stand alone facility, adding staffing and finances would also be a problem.

Iberia Parish Councilman John Berard said the council will revisit the issue at another time.

“There is some grant money available for this, but it’s to fund more in-depth studies,” he said. “Anything could happen, and that side is in need of a hospital.”

Iberia Parish Councilwoman Maggie Daniels said she understood the survey, but it does not change the fact the area needs some type of medical facility on the southside of the railroad tracks.

“I’m very concerned about this,” she said.

New Iberia City Councilman David Broussard said a stand-alone facility is not possible right now, but added he is pushing for at least a one-lane emergency overpass to be constructed over the railroad.

“A medical facility would have to be funded by private investors, and it will be hard to staff,” Broussard said. “An overpass will cost $10-12 million for one lane, but that money can come from federal and state funding. It’s a better idea.”

Broussard said he already has $750,000 of priority state funding approved for an overpass, with a portion of an additional $1.6 million in federal money allotted for studying and surveying the possibility of an overpass.

Berard said aerial shots of New Iberia show a trend of the city moving toward U.S. 90.

“The port is booming, and car dealerships, hotels and many other businesses are all headed toward the highway,” he said.

“With a new (medical) facility, you would never have a person at risk at any time of the day just because the trains are blocking the track.”