BATON ROUGE, La. — Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry has appointed Lafourche Parish President Archie Chaisson III as the first executive director of the state’s newly created Office of Louisiana Highway Construction.

The new office, formed through House Bill 640 authored by Rep. Ryan Bourriaque (R-Abbeville) during the 2025 legislative session, will oversee planning, construction, and maintenance for Louisiana’s highway system. Under the new law, the office must submit an annual report on projects and timelines to the Joint Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works.

“Archie has been a dedicated public servant for Lafourche Parish, working tirelessly to answer the needs of the southeast region. We are excited to bring Archie into the Administration to serve in this new role,” Landry said. “Working together with Secretary Ledet and the entire DOTD team, I am confident that the days of a more efficient transportation department are on the horizon.”

Chaisson, who led Lafourche Parish for more than five years, resigned from his role Wednesday. His last day as parish president will be Aug. 1. The parish administrator will serve as interim until a special election is held.

“I am thankful to Governor Landry for the opportunity to serve our state in this new role. I am eager to get to work to build the Office of Louisiana Highway Construction in a way that best serves the needs of this great state and answers the call for a modernized and efficient Department of Transportation and Development,” Chaisson said.

The Office of Louisiana Highway Construction will play a major role in tackling Louisiana’s long-standing transportation infrastructure challenges, from pothole-ridden roads to major highway expansions. With this new dedicated office, state leaders hope to streamline project delivery, boost transparency, and ensure projects stay on schedule and budget.

Chaisson’s appointment brings local government experience to the state level, and transportation advocates are watching closely to see how the office’s creation will reshape Louisiana’s approach to road planning and maintenance amid growing demands for improved connectivity across rural and urban communities.

Originally reported by Allison Bruhl in WGNO.