Louisiana to Receive Approximately $1 Billion for Bridges from Federal Infrastructure Program

January 14, 2022

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced intentions on January 14, 2022, to establish a program that will allocate $26.5 billion to states for bridge repairs and infrastructure projects. The Bridge Formula Program, which was made possible by the passing of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act, would provide federal monies to rural and urban bridges in need of repair or renovation over a five-year period.

Louisiana will receive nearly $1 billion over the next five years as part of this new initiative, with $202.6 million given this fiscal year. This money will be used to fix about 400 bridges across the state that are in need of repair or replacement.

“Louisiana will be well served by this program, as our funding needs for infrastructure projects are immense,” said Governor John Bel Edwards. “I applaud the Biden administration for seeing the transportation needs of our nation, and state, by launching this investment program that will greatly aid our communities. Bridge closures or weight restrictions severely hinder our agriculture, manufacturing, and service industries, as well a public transit, commuter travel, and school bus routes. Limiting closures will provide a better overall quality of life to our residents, motorists and businesses.”

“This new federal investment comes at the right time as many of our bridges, including those on the interstate system, are 45 to 65 years old,” said DOTD Secretary Shawn D. Wilson, Ph.D. “The number of bridges falling into poor condition is expected to increase greatly in the coming years and this funding will allow us to make necessary improvements before these bridges deteriorate to the point of closure. Having shared bridge closures with the public for some time, no parish is exempt and problems exist on state and local bridges alike. I am looking forward to using more than the minimum established by USDOT to help locals address their needs as well. This bipartisan bill will allow the state to address many infrastructure needs in the coming years and I am grateful for the work that Senator Bill Cassidy and Representative Troy Carter put in to get this bill passed and for their vision of infrastructure improvement in Louisiana. “

When the number of bridges and bridge size are considered, Louisiana has the third largest bridge infrastructure in the country. There are currently 7,846 state-owned bridges, 795 of which require major restoration or replacement, and 4,736 privately owned bridges, 793 of which require rehabilitation or replacement.

The following are some of the bridge projects that will benefit from this financing this year:

• LA 531 over I-20 Bridge Replacement in Webster Parish
• I-10 over US & Missouri Pacific RR in Calcasieu and Jefferson Davis Parishes
• Jimmie Davis Bridge Replacement in Caddo Parish
• US90Z – Harvey Canal Tunnel Rehabilitation in Jefferson Parish
• I-10 Sabine River Bridges Rehabilitation in Calcasieu Parish
• I-20 Orange Street Overpass Repair in Ouachita Parish
• US 61 Jefferson Highway Overpass Repair in East Baton Rouge Parish
• LA 47 Intracoastal Waterway Gulf Outlet Bridge Rehabilitation in Orleans Parish
• LA 485 Bridges near Allen Louisiana (Natchitoches Parish)
• LA 835 Creek Bridges in Morehouse Parish
• LA 121 over the Calcasieu River in Rapides Parish
• LA 182 over Berwick Bay Bridge Rehabilitation in St. Mary Parish
• US 51 over the Yellow Water River in Tangipahoa Parish
• LA 1183 over Turner Canal in Avoyelles Parish
• LA 1226 over Bayou Chevreuille in Natchitoches Parish
• LA 961 over Sandy Creek in East Feliciana Parish
• LA 404 Bayou and Canal Bridges in Iberville Parish

The Bridge Formula Program is projected to aid in the repair of about 15,000 bridges across the country. The Bridge Formula Program has dedicated funding for Tribal transportation facility bridges as well as “off-system” bridges, which are locally owned facilities that are not on the federal-aid highway system, in addition to providing funds to states to replace, rehabilitate, preserve, protect, and construct highway bridges.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Act is a once-in-a-generation investment in infrastructure that will boost the economy, improve the United States’ global competitiveness, create excellent jobs, and make our transportation system more sustainable and equitable.