BATON ROUGE, La. — Louisiana is taking major steps to modernize its aging infrastructure, with the Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) announcing an accelerated plan to replace or rehabilitate 62 bridges statewide, including the LA 82 Canal bridge in Vermilion Parish.
The effort comes through a new bridge bundling program, which groups multiple bridge projects into coordinated construction packages. This streamlined approach is designed to maximize efficiency, cut costs, and speed up delivery of projects across Louisiana.
“Collaboration and partnership with the new Office of Louisiana Highway Construction ensures this work can begin sooner,” said DOTD Secretary Glenn Ledet. “Our collaborative approach marks a transformational shift in how Louisiana delivers critical infrastructure projects.”
Archie Chaisson III, Executive Director of the newly created Office of Louisiana Highway Construction, emphasized the impact of the initiative. “This initiative reflects exactly why the Office of Louisiana Highway Construction was created. Working with DOTD, we can move projects forward faster, address critical infrastructure needs and deliver long-term improvements that benefit communities across Louisiana.”
The bridge bundling program is part of DOTD’s Transforming Transportation initiative, which focuses on modernizing infrastructure through performance-based, cost-efficient solutions. Rather than handling projects individually, bundling allows the state to contract multiple bridges at once, reducing administrative overhead and accelerating timelines.
The Office of Louisiana Highway Construction, established by Act No. 389 during the 2025 Legislative Session, was specifically tasked with rethinking how projects are delivered. The office is charged with privatizing certain functions and overseeing the creation, maintenance, and repair of nonfederal state highways.
Among the first set of bridges scheduled for replacement or rehabilitation is the LA 82 Canal bridge in Vermilion Parish, a key connector for residents and businesses in the area. Officials say that improving rural and regional infrastructure like this is essential to supporting commerce, emergency response, and daily travel.
By bundling dozens of bridges into one coordinated program, the state expects not only to shorten timelines but also to create greater stability for contractors and construction firms bidding on projects, allowing for better planning and resource allocation.
Transportation leaders stress that Louisiana’s infrastructure challenges require long-term solutions, and this program signals a shift toward a more sustainable, scalable model of project delivery.
The DOTD and the Office of Highway Construction expect that the 62-bridge program will serve as a template for future infrastructure initiatives, with lessons learned applied to highways, drainage systems, and other critical assets.
“The work we’re doing now isn’t just about replacing bridges — it’s about building a stronger Louisiana for generations to come,” Ledet added.
Originally reported by KLFY.
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