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News Clips - September 16, 2025 |
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DOTD transfers bridge bundling initiative to Office of Louisiana Highway Construction By: AN17
BATON ROUGE --- The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) is partnering with the newly formed Office of Louisiana Highway Construction to expedite the state’s bridge bundling program. The collaboration is a significant step in addressing aging infrastructure through a streamlined, innovative approach.
DOTD recently issued a Notice of Intent (NOI) for three bridge bundling packages, launching a new strategy to replace or rehabilitate 62 aging bridges statewide. The initiative groups multiple bridges into coordinated construction packages to maximize efficiency, reduce costs and accelerate project delivery.
“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. It reflects the team effort envisioned by Governor Landry and the state legislators, with the Office of Louisiana Highway Construction utilizing its emergency contracting authority to address the urgent needs of the state and DOTD providing support and oversight to ensure all federal standards are met.”
The Office of Louisiana Highway Construction was established by Act No. 389 during the 2025 Legislative Session. Led by Executive Director Archie Chaisson III, the office is charged with reimagining project delivery, privatizing certain functions and overseeing the creation, maintenance and repair of nonfederal state highways.
“This initiative reflects exactly why the Office of Louisiana Highway Construction was created,” said Chaisson, Executive Director of the Office of Louisiana Highway Construction. “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 plan for Transforming Transportation, a statewide initiative to modernize infrastructure through performance-based, cost-efficient solutions.
The first seven of the 62 bridges currently scheduled for replacement or rehabilitation are:
'Construction has not stopped at all:' DOTD says I-10 widening project is moving on as scheduledBy: WBRZ
BATON ROUGE, La. — In December of 2023, WBRZ reported that the state was planning to take longer to finish the I-10 widening project.
Orange cones, work crews and heavy equipment still line I-10 in Baton Rouge, but state transportation officials say the widening project is not behind schedule.
Instead, they say the scope of the work has grown. Rodney Mallett with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development said the state adjusted plans to ease the impact on drivers during construction.
“Well to help the public out, it’s going to extend the project a little bit, but we’re going to keep three lanes open in each direction,” Mallett said.
He explained that while some drivers think the project has stalled, construction has never stopped. “So when people say the project has been delayed, that’s more of a something has caused us not to work, right? Construction has not stopped at all during this whole process,” Mallett said.
Those adjustments required federal approval before moving forward. DOTD says big changes are on the horizon in the next five to six years. The Louise Street exit will be removed, replaced with a new westbound exit at City Park Lake that will connect drivers to Dalrymple Drive, Washington Street and Louise Street. Drivers heading southbound on I-110 will also see changes.
To reach Dalrymple, they will need to exit at Terrace Avenue and travel through two new roundabouts.
“The roundabouts are going to help traffic a lot better in that area because you know, you have continuous movement and you’re not sitting there stopping at a red light,” Mallett said.
The project's next phase will begin soon. By the end of the year, crews will start work on expanding the westbound flyover ramp towards Lafayette.
Flood Protection East Names Director of EngineeringBy: Biz
NEW ORLEANS (press release) – The Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Agency – East (SLFPA-E) is pleased to announce the recent promotion of Ryan Foster, P.E., to Director of Engineering. Foster has been with the SLFPA-E for over 10 years and has served in many roles throughout the engineering department, including most recently Engineering Manager.
Additionally, Foster served as Interim Executive Director of the Lake Borgne Basin Levee District (LBBLD) for 10 months in 2017-2018. During this time, he initiated several pump station improvement projects while working alongside Levee Maintenance. When Foster first joined the SLFPA-E, he was one of only two engineers. Since then, he has helped expand the Engineering Department, which now consists of 10 engineer positions, three GIS positions, and several permit specialists.
In his new role as Director, Foster manages a $7B+ infrastructure system and leads a multidisciplinary team responsible for inspections, repairs, compliance, and emergency response. He oversees all engineering, maintenance, operations, and permitting functions related to levee and flood protection systems across the East Bank of Orleans, Jefferson, and St. Bernard Parishes.
System improvements and maintenance will continue to be Foster’s top priority to ensure the infrastructure performs as designed. He also looks forward to continued collaboration with local, state, and federal partners on future enhancements that will help address challenges like sea level rise and ever-changing landscape of Southeast Louisiana.
Foster holds a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Civil and Environment Engineering from the University of New Orleans and is licensed as a Professional Engineer (P.E.) in Louisiana and Mississippi. He is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and has also represented the FPA-E during two I-STORM conferences in Europe, as well as participating in several local events.
About the Flood Protection Authority – East
The Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority – East (SLFPA-E) is the regional agency responsible for safeguarding more than 1.5 million residents across Orleans, Jefferson and St. Bernard parishes from hurricane storm surge and flooding. Established in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina to bring stronger oversight and accountability to the region’s levee system, the authority manages a $7 billion network of levees, floodwalls, gates and pump stations.
Its multidisciplinary team of engineers, maintenance crews, and emergency responders works year-round to ensure the system performs as designed, with responsibilities ranging from daily inspections and repairs to coordinating storm response with local, state and federal partners. SLFPA-E also oversees permitting, compliance and system improvements to meet evolving challenges such as sea level rise and land loss, while advancing public safety and resilience for Southeast Louisiana.
CCA Louisiana leads major artificial reef installationBy: KATC
COCODRIE, La. — The Coastal Conservation Association of Louisiana (CCA Louisiana) has successfully installed the Ship Shoal 33 Artificial Reef, located south of Morgan City, adding nearly 8,000 square feet of new marine habitat through its artificial reef program in partnership with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. This CCA-led project was made possible through collaborative partnerships with Chevron, Natrx, Danos, White Water Contractors, and Duplantis Design Group (DDG).
For this installation, CCA Louisiana deployed 400 of Natrx's Wave Brush ExoForms™, known locally as "Cajun Coral," to maximize habitat creation, along with 380 tons of broken concrete. The proprietary structures are designed specifically to promote diverse aquatic habitats for local marine species and were manufactured at Danos’ facility in Amelia through their partnership with Natrx.
"Our objective at CCA is to conserve, promote and enhance the present and future availability of our coastal resources for the benefit and enjoyment of the general public. Artificial reef projects, like this one at Ship Shoal 33, serve as great examples of our collaborative efforts," said Rad Trascher, Executive Director and CEO of CCA Louisiana. "Working with great partners such as LDWF, Chevron, Danos and Natrx allow us to reach that objective."
White Water Contractors provided additional barges, tugs and excavators during the CCA-managed installation, while Duplantis Design Group performed pre-and-post construction surveys for the site.
"Through the SS-33 reef project, White Water proudly reaffirms its commitment to conservation and to strengthening recreational fishing opportunities across our home state," said Scott Settoon, Founder of White Water Contractors, "We extend our sincere appreciation to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and CCA Louisiana for the opportunity to contribute to an initiative that will provide long-lasting benefits to anglers and the preservation of our coastal habitat." |