LAFAYETTE, La. – Taxpayers across Acadiana will see welcomed improvement to roads thanks to surplus funds received from the 2007 Legislative Session, said DOTD today at a news conference in Lafayette.

DOTD received $695 million in additional funding to be used for road construction, preconstruction, ports and flood protection projects across the state. More than $90 million will be spent on 24 projects in Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, St. Mary, St. Martin, St. Landry and Vermilion parishes. One of larger projects, the new extension of Ambassador Caffery Parkway South to U.S. 90 in Broussard, will receive $13 million in surplus funds.

"The surplus funds are just what Louisiana roads need," said DOTD Secretary Johnny B. Bradberry. "DOTD is moving quickly to start construction on these projects because we know the positive impact they have in local communities."

The resurfacing of Interstate 49 from Interstate 10 to the St. Landry Parish line ($7.2 million) is already under construction. The majority of the remaining projects – like the replacement of the road foundation and surface of La. 104 from Mamou to Oberlin Highway in Evangeline Parish ($4.1 million) – have received bids or will soon receive bids from contractors with plans for construction to begin in 2008.

The $695 million is a one-time allocation from the Legislature and the governor. DOTD’s main source of funding road and bridge construction is through the 16-cent state gasoline tax, which does not keep up with inflation and has lost about half of its value since 1984. As a result, Louisiana now has about $14 billion in road and bridge projects it cannot afford to complete.