November 2, 2019
This is the most recent highway update I received from DOTD for Senate District 18…
Project Description-Manchac/ Airline Bridge
DOTD is replacing the two Airline Highway bridges over Bayou Manchac at the Ascension Parish line. The two new replacement bridges will be widen to 3 lanes in each direction to accommodate for future widening of Airline Highway. DOTD is constructing a temporary bridge to be used during the construction.
Project Description- Highland and I10
LA 42 (ASCENSION PARISH) ROAD CLOSURE
Wednesday, September 04, 2019 12:56 PM
By CHRISTINA OLIVER
LA 42-Highland Rd. (ASCENSION PARISH) – A road closure will take place on LA 42 (Highland Rd.) from the I-10/Highland Rd. Eastbound Off/Westbound ON Ramp Interchange to the I-10/Highland Rd. Eastbound On Ramp/Westbound Off Ramp Interchange.
The closure is set to occur daily from 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM beginning on Monday, September 16, 2019 until Saturday, September 28, 2019.
This closure is necessary to install steel girders for Highland Road Overpass.
Commuters may travel I-10 WB to Siegen Lane Interchange and I-10 EB to LA 73 Interchange as detour routes.
DOTD appreciates your patience and reminds you to please drive with caution through the construction site and be on the lookout for work crews and their equipment.
– James Construction Group, LLC
Project Description – LA 42 – Widening and Improvements
Contract Time – 850 Calendar Days
Contractor – Barber Brothers Contracting Co., LLC
Project Start Date – November 24, 2017 – Anticipated Completion Date – Nov. 8, 2020
Project Cost – $27,482,012.38
% 68.20 complete % Time elapsed – 64.69
Current Work:
Contractor continues to work on sidewalks and driveways from Little Prairie Church to Rouse’s. Crews continue to backfill curbs and sidewalks for weeks to come. The contractor began laying the 5” base course from McCrory Rd. to North Lake Dr. and will continue in the weeks to come. Motorist should expect a traffic shift just past Autumn View to LA 44 for construction on the outer westbound lane. The contractor has begun the removal of existing road in preparation for construction of new road.
Turn lane to remain closed until work is completed in this area (intersection of LA 73\LA 42 thru to Airline). Eastbound right turn lane onto LA 73 and Airline left turn lane southbound onto LA 42 will remain closed until all work on LA 42 between LA 73 and US 61 has been completed.
Project Description – LA 44 Turn Lanes at 5 intersections
Contract Time – 120 Working Days
Contractor – KCR Contractors, LLC
Project Start Date – July 23, 2018 Anticipated Completion Date – March 4, 2020
Project Cost – $3,501,304.95
% Complete – 36.03 % Time elapsed – 30.83
Current Work:
LA 44/ LA 933 awaiting partial acceptance. LA 44/Causey Rd awaiting partial acceptance. LA 44/LA 935, LA 44/LA 621, signal head installation has begun at both of these locations. LA 44/LA 931 all utilities have been cleared and contractor has begun working on subsurface drainage. The contractor has completed two full depth patches following the installation of the cross drains. LA 44 widening has begun; contractor continues placing class II base course in preparation for asphalt.
Project Description – LA 3038 Cornerview – Rehab and Turn Lane
Contract Time – 75 Working Days
Contractor – R.J. Daigle & Sons Contractors
Project Start Date – September 27, 2018 Anticipated Completion Date – November 30, 2019
Project Cost – $2,118,387.76
% Complete: 69.89 % Time elapsed: 94.25
Current Work:
Permanent striping is to be completed upon completion of paved gutter drains and sidewalks. Left for completion are the following: Hydro-seeding, permanent striping, retaining wall near sidewalk, and permanent signs.
Project Description – LA 22 and LA 70 Geometric Improvement
Contract Time – 200 Working Days
Contractor – Barriere Construction Co.
Project Start Date – August 18, 2018 Anticipated Completion Date – May 29, 2020
Project Cost – $5,633,333.69
% Complete: 34.28 % Time elapsed: 27
Current Work:
All black base has been installed on both side along LA 22. Crews continue to work in concrete drives. 2 week look ahead; Contractor anticipates beginning curb work upon completion of concrete drives. Once the curb work has been completed along LA 22 the first lift of binder course will be installed.
Project Description: LA 429: Improvements at LA 431
Contract Time: 60 Working Days Contractor: KCR Contractors
Project Start Date: June 5, 2019 Anticipated Completion Date: December 1, 2019
Project Cost: $568,847.26
% Complete: 83.61 % Time elapsed: 81.67
Current work:
Signal Section heads have been configured for the new roadway layout. Currently temporary striping is installed with the exception of stop bars. Once stop bars have been laid out the new turn lanes will be opened up. Dirt work needs to be done along shoulders before permanent striping is complete.
October 15, 2018
PRESS RELEASE FROM DOTD:
Sunshine bridge damage extensive, remains closed
May 4, 2018
Maurepas, Ama and Union Diversions
Here is the latest information on the Maurepas, Ama, and Union diversion projects from the Department of Transportation and Development.
PO-0029_Project Overview_20180326
April 25, 2017
History of Revenue Collection from the Gasoline Tax
The state has had a tax on gasoline and other fuels for several decades, a portion of which is dedicated to spending on roads and infrastructure construction and maintenance. The gasoline tax, as it is often called, has been adjusted a few times in its history as revenue collections have failed to keep pace with inflation (in construction costs, for example) and in revenue needs for infrastructure. The last increase in the gasoline tax took effect in the 1990-1991 Fiscal Year, when the gasoline tax was raised to 20 cents per gallon, where it remains today.
In the 2017 Regular Fiscal Session, the Legislature will consider raising the gas tax.
Click Here to See a History of Gas Tax Revenues Over Time.
March 23, 2017
The Department of Transportation and Development, after studying traffic patterns, accidents, and congestion, has determined that a traffic signal is warranted at the intersection of La. 74 and La. 928 (Bluff Road). Although no firm date was given in the letter I have posted here and made available for your viewing, DOTD intends to install a traffic signal “as soon as possible.”
DOTD Letter Regarding La. 74 and Bluff Road Intersection
September 29, 2016
I have been provided a document with highly detailed information on upcoming road projects and improvements. The document contains detailed and helpful maps that make it easier to understand exactly where improvements will be made and what those improvements will be. I hope you find them informative.
August 2016 Detailed Project Program
September 16, 2016
The linked spreadsheet contains the most current list/update of construction and improvement projects in our DOTD district, which includes the tri-parish area comprising Senate District 18.
DOTD August Construction Update
August 10, 2016
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) has submitted its Highway Program for the 2016-2017 Fiscal Year, which details DOTD’s proposal for projects that are scheduled for construction during the fiscal year. The list is sorted by parish and gives some limited details about the nature of the project. Included in the link below is general information from the Highway Program Proposal and the list of projects for Ascension, Livingston, and St. James parishes.
District 18 Highway Program for 2016-2017 Fiscal Year
The linked list of projects below (“Senate District Road Projects) includes all projects that have been approved for the parishes of Ascension, Livingston, and St. James. Priority 1 projects are the highest priority with cash and line of credit availability for the project. Priority 2 projects are similarly high in priority and often include line of credit funding for projects that also have Priority 1 funding. Priority 5 projects have been approved but are not in line for immediate funding; they have been judged worthy of merit and funding but will take longer to move into Priority 1 status. This list is current from the Capital Outlay Legislation approved by the Louisiana Legislature and the Governor in the 2016 sessions.
Additionally, the link below is a map of current and immediate state highway projects within DOTD District 61, which includes Senate District 18.