Louisiana officials marked a key infrastructure milestone this week with the completion of five new rural bridges in Winn Parish—but emphasized that this is only the start of a much larger statewide effort.
Four of the completed bridges are located along Louisiana Highway 1232, just east of the Bethlehem community, while the fifth is situated on Louisiana Highway 1231-1 in the city of Winnfield. The projects were constructed by in-house Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) crews.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on September 25 at one of the Highway 1232 bridge sites, drawing state and local officials to celebrate the achievement.
“These bridges represent more than just physical structures,” said State Rep. Jack McFarland. “They symbolize the investment in the future of rural areas. It demonstrates a commitment to enhancing mobility, boosting local economies, and ensuring that rural residents have equal access to vital services.”
Funding for the Winn Parish bridge projects came from a state legislative allocation of up to $2.5 million approved in 2024. Officials say the use of DOTD’s internal construction teams helped complete the work quickly and efficiently.
“By embracing cooperation and teamwork, we were able to provide these modernized structures to the community on a highly accelerated timeline,” DOTD Secretary Glenn Ledet Jr. said.
While the ribbon cutting marked a major accomplishment, state leaders emphasized that it’s the beginning of a wider initiative to repair and modernize rural bridges across Louisiana.
The newly established Office of Louisiana Highway Construction plans to repair or replace 62 additional rural bridges statewide by the end of 2026. The program aims to improve safety, access, and economic connectivity in areas that have long dealt with outdated and deteriorating transportation infrastructure.
A recent 2023 report found that 11% of Louisiana’s bridges are structurally deficient, placing the state among the most challenged in the nation. In both 2024 and 2025, Louisiana ranked 8th highest in the U.S. for deficient bridges.
Archie Chaisson, director of the Office of Louisiana Highway Construction, pointed out the widespread impact of failing infrastructure.
“As a former parish president, I understand that and how some of these all-system bridges can really impact daily commuters in parishes and different regions of the state,” Chaisson told the Louisiana Radio Network.
The accelerated construction efforts reflect both growing public demand and legislative pressure to improve rural infrastructure. The physical condition of hundreds of small community bridges has long been a concern, especially in agricultural regions and areas at risk for flooding.
With the initial five bridges now complete, DOTD says it will continue to move quickly on priority sites across Louisiana through 2026, improving rural transportation networks piece by piece.
Originally reported by Roads & Bridges.
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