SHREVEPORT, La. – Taxpayers in northwest Louisiana will see welcomed improvement to roads thanks to surplus funds received from the 2007 Legislative Session, said DOTD today at a news conference in Shreveport.

DOTD received $695 million in additional funding to be used for road construction, preconstruction, ports and flood protection projects across the state. More than $120 million will be spent on 24 projects in Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, DeSoto, Natchitoches, Red River, Sabine and Webster parishes. One of the larger projects, the resurfacing of Interstate 20 from the Fifi Bayou Bridge to the Fillmore Overpass, will receive $12.9 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 project to replace the road surface on La. 169 in Caddo Parish from Mooringsport to U.S. 71 ($2 million) is already under construction. The majority of the remaining projects – like the project to widen and resurface La. 154 in Bienville Parish from the Lake Bisteneau Bridge to Ringgold, La. ($2.7 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.

For questions or concerns about DOTD projects, contact DOTD’s Customer Service Center at 1-877-4LA-DOTD (1-877-452-3683) or by e-mail at customerservice@dotd.la.gov. The center is open 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday.

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www.dotd.la.gov