Louisiana – The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) has announced that 19 projects across the state received bids in August, with a total value of $75.7 million. The projects, which include bridge replacements, road resurfacing, and safety improvements, were awarded to 17 contractors.
According to DOTD Secretary Joe Donahue, the department is eager to start work on the projects, which will help alleviate issues such as potholes and buckling caused by the summer heat and rain. “Quite a few major projects were let this month, and we’re looking forward to getting them started,” Donahue said.
The DOTD prioritizes construction projects based on factors such as road and bridge condition, urgency of improvements, type and volume of traffic, crash records, and unforeseeable emergencies that cause damage. The department also considers the impact of supply chain and workforce issues on bid prices, and may opt to re-bid projects if prices exceed the project budget.
The bidding process involves identifying an “apparent low bidder,” which is the contractor that submits the lowest bid for a project. However, the contract is not finalized until after a 30-day review period, during which the DOTD verifies the bidder’s qualifications and ensures that the bid is within the project budget.
The projects awarded in August include:
Bridge Replacement and Repair:
- Repairs to U.S. 90-W bridge over Bayou Ramos in St. Mary Parish: $1,709,878.20
- Replacement of Bayou Bienvenue Bridge on LA 47 in Orleans and St. Bernard parishes: $17,488,961.48
Pavement/Overlay:
- Milling, patching, paving, and drainage on LA 174 between Sabine Parish line and I-49 in DeSoto and Natchitoches parishes: $7,047,072.07
- Milling, patching, and overlay on U.S. 171 between LA 112 and Lemon St. in Beauregard Parish: $1,511,985.39
- Grading, milling, patching, and overlay on U.S. 61 between Airport Rd. and St. James Parish line in St. John the Baptist Parish: $11,469,369.87
- Milling, patching, overlay, and drainage on LA 900 between LA 568 and U.S. 65 in Concordia Parish: $2,811,925.81
- Grading, milling, patching, overlay, and drainage on LA 428 between Gen. De Gaulle Dr. and Industry Canal in Jefferson and Orleans parishes: $3,186,332.25
- Patching and drainage on LA 24 between RV Ct. and West St. in Terrebonne Parish: $193,708.00
- Milling, patching, and overlay on LA 112 between LA 113 and Allen Parish line in Beauregard Parish: $1,127,716.01
- Grading, milling, patching, overlay, and drainage on LA 133 between LA 15 and U.S. 80 in Richland Parish: $6,715,883.29
- Milling, and overlay on U.S. 90 eastbound between LA 83 and LA 85 in Iberia Parish: $3,808,808.68
- Grading, milling, patching, overlay, and drainage on LA 685 between LA 14 BUS and Bayou Tigre in Vermilion Parish: $1,848,481.07
- Patching on U.S. 165 and U.S. 84 in Caldwell and Concordia parishes: $1,516,625.00
Congestion Mitigation and Safety:
- Lighting repairs along I-210 in Calcasieu Parish: $8,093,335.39
- Decelaration lane extension and lighting at exit 8 on I-20 in Caddo Parish: $947,007.52
- Left turn lane installation on LA 431 at LA 621 in Ascension Parish: $2,096,877.60
- Clearing and grubbing along I-12, LA 3241, LA 36, and LA 434 in St. Tammany Parish: $1,795,329.18
Other:
- Drydocking, inspection, repairs, and painting of M/V Cameron II ferry: $1,513,899.97
- Sidewalk construction along LA 25 in Washington Parish: $774,031.50
The DOTD will continue to monitor the progress of these projects and work to ensure that they are completed on time and within budget.