DOTD receives $104 million in redistributed funds from FHWA
Monday, September 09, 2024 at 9:39:11 AM
Baton Rouge, LA- The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) announces the allotment of an additional $104.04 million in redistributed funds from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for the fiscal year 2023-2024. This amount represents the second-largest allocation ever received by DOTD, only surpassed by last year’s record funding of $210 million.
These newly acquired funds will play a crucial role in addressing budget shortfalls caused by inflation-driven bid costs and will allow the department to deliver critical road, bridge, and safety projects sooner than anticipated. FHWA annually redistributes unused funds from other states in August, and DOTD’s consistent maximization of its obligated funding makes it eligible for these additional resources.
“Securing these redistributed funds is a significant win for Louisiana’s infrastructure,” said DOTD Secretary Joe Donahue. “ This funding will not only help us tackle the immediate challenges posed by rising costs but will also allow us to accelerate vital road, bridge and safety projects that will benefit communities across our state. We remain committed to maximizing every dollar available to us and would like to thank the FHWA for providing these important funds to the state.”
Despite using every federal dollar allocated for statewide infrastructure projects, Louisiana faces a significant backlog, exacerbated by a fuel tax that has not been updated in over 30 years and ongoing inflationary pressures. Although the influx of redistributed funds will help alleviate some of these challenges, certain projects still face delays due to rising costs.
With the additional funding, DOTD will be able to advance projects included in the Highway Priority Program, ensuring that necessary improvements are addressed across all regions of the state. By leveraging these additional federal dollars, DOTD aims to enhance the safety and quality of Louisiana’s transportation infrastructure.
The redistributed funding will be allocated to the following projects, primarily to address bids that came in over budget:
- $5.99 million – utility relocation for LA 30 (Nicholson Drive) between Brightside and Gourrier in East Baton Rouge Parish
- $6.56 million – LA 6 rehab in Sabine Parish
- $3.99 million – LA 14 rehab in Calcasieu Parish
- $22.13 million – I-10 rehab in Acadia Parish
- $9.96 million – US 90 rehab in St. Mary Parish
- $6.88 million – Mound Rest Area renovations in Madison Parish
- $6.22 million – US 71 bridges near St. Maurice in Natchitoches Parish
The additional funding will also allow DOTD to advance the following projects sooner than expected:
- LA 115 between LA 1188 and LA 114 in Avoyelles Parish
- US 371 in Bienville Parish
- LA 565 between LA 129 and LA 15 in Concordia Parish
- Terry Parkway from LA 23 to US 90B in Jefferson Parish
- LA 46 between Webster Street and LA 39 in St. Bernard Parish
- LA 928 from LA 74 to LA 427 in Ascension Parish
- LA 69 from LA 404 to LA 1 in Iberville Parish
- LA 3073 in Lafayette Parish
- US 425 UP RR Crossing (Mer Rouge) in Morehouse Parish
- District 08 Flashing Yellow Arrows Part 2 in Rapides Parish
- LA 8 Forker Creek Bridge in Vernon Parish
- LA 175 from LA 509 to LA 5 in DeSoto Parish
- I-10 and I-12 Pavement Patching in East Baton Rouge and Livingston Parishes
- District 05 Rumple Strips and Striping Phase 2 in Lincoln, Morehouse, Ouachita, Richland and Union Parishes
- Morrison Road from Mayo Boulevard to Bullard Avenue in Orleans Parish
- Pine Street & Harrison/Collier Bridges in Ouachita Parish
- LA 92-1 from US 90 to LA 182 in St. Martin Parish
- US 51 @ Sycamore Street drainage in Tangipahoa Parish
- Linwood Avenue Reconstruction Phase 3 in Caddo Parish.