The Louisiana DOTD had a busy 2019 as the department invested just over $1 billion into nearly 330 infrastructure projects on 942 miles of roadway. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett says the investment was able to be made in large part because of innovative funding efforts.
“GARVEE bonds, FASTLANE grants, using up as much of the federal grant money as we could to address some of our needs, so yeah, we spent a lot of money this year,” said Mallett.
Among the projects, the widening of various sections of I-10 and the I-10/Loyola Drive interchange improvements.
Mallett says there were unexpected expenses for emergency situations that came up throughout the year.
“When the crane hit the Sunshine Bridge or when the truck ran into the Intracoastal Waterway bridge, or when we had to address flooding across the state for Barry. It’s been a busy year for the DOTD team, but I think we’ve done the state well,” said Mallett.
Back in June, 49-year-old Johnny Cole was killed after being struck by an 18-wheeler near Ruston. Cole was a sign specialist for the department. Mallett says DOTD is rolling out new safety measures in response.
“Our employees are the most valuable asset that we have. A lot of people are working around the clock to keep those roads open and we want to make sure they are safe,” said Mallett.
The department also won the regional award for “Best Use of Technology and Innovation for the new I-49/I-220 interchange in Shreveport.
