$270 Million in Bridge Projects Announced by Louisiana Governor Edwards to be Funded through Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

Louisiana. — The Louisiana Office of the Governor reported on October 5, 2022, that John Bel Edwards viewed a locally owned bridge in East Baton Rouge today with Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development inspectors (LADOTD). In January 2022, the bridge was deemed deficient, and a load restriction was posted. This bridge is one of over 500 off-system bridges eligible for funding under President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Act, which was enacted earlier this year. Off-system bridges are those that are located on privately owned (city or parish) roads rather than state highways.

Louisiana is set to receive approximately $1 billion over the course of five years through the Bridge Formula Program administered by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The Edwards administration has allocated approximately $270 million specifically for the purpose of off-system bridge repair and replacement projects.

The state of Louisiana has more than 4,700 locally-owned bridges, with 747 in need of rehabilitation or replacement. Last year, DOTD closed 25 locally owned bridges, and 31 have been closed this year to date.

To expedite the distribution of this funding, LADOTD has executed contracts with consultants. The experts will collaborate with parishes in each of the DOTD’s nine districts to identify which bridges will be repaired or replaced. Bridges that meet the BIL Bridge Formula Program criteria for off-system structures and the FHWA repair or replacement criteria will be eligible.

“The ability to fully fund these bridge projects will benefit thousands of residents across the state of Louisiana, many of them in rural areas,” said Louisiana Governor Edwards. “This funding for bridges is just one way we will implement the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to grow our economy and improve quality-of-life. A special thanks to Sen. Bill Cassidy and Rep. Troy Carter for their support of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.”

“Bridges connect communities and, with an aging infrastructure system, we are actively working to ensure continued connectivity for all types of road users in these parishes,” said LADOTD Secretary Dr. Shawn D. Wilson, Ph.D. “Executing a consultant contract for each district will allow us to speed up the project development process and make the most of this historic investment in our infrastructure system while relying on local leadership for prioritization.”

LADOTD’s purpose is to assist parishes in navigating the process and to carefully allocate these funds to address as many eligible structures as feasible across the state.

This financing will cover non-construction costs such as utility relocation and right-of-way acquisition, in addition to what is currently available through DOTD’s Off-System Bridge Program.

The IIJA Bridge Formula Program would fund these bridge improvements entirely with federal funds, with no need for a local or state counterpart. Follow this link to learn more about the program.