Louisiana DOTD to work with new office to address aging bridges statewide

BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — To speed up Louisiana’s bridge bundling program, the Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) and the new Office of Louisiana Highway Construction are teaming up.

A bill passed during the 2025 regular legislative session created the Office of Louisiana Highway Construction. Gov. Jeff Landry named former Lafourche Parish President Archie Chaisson III as the new office’s leader.

“Collaboration and partnership with the new Office of Louisiana Highway Construction ensures this work can begin sooner,” said DOTD Secretary Glenn Ledet. “Our collaborative approach marks a transformational shift in how Louisiana delivers critical infrastructure projects.”

The agency issued a Notice of Intent (NOI) for three bridge bundling packages, part of a new strategy to replace or rehabilitate aging 62 bridges in Louisiana. Using a Progressive Design-Build method, design and construction phases are under one contract.

The NOI lists the projected costs for the three packages.

• $33,210,000 for the North Louisiana Bundle Project.
• $29,120,000 for the Central Louisiana Bundle Project.
• $37,770,000 for the Southeast Louisiana Bundle Project.

7 bridges scheduled for replacement or rehabilitation

• LA 513 Brushy Bayou in DeSoto Parish
• LA 147 Brown Creek in Jackson Parish
• LA 487 Brushy Bayou in Natchitoches Parish
• LA 36 Creek in St. Tammany Parish
• LA 1062 Drain in Tangipahoa Parish
• LA 82 Canal in Vermilion Parish
• LA 463 Boddy Branch in Vernon Parish

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