Louisiana Ramps Up Road and Bridge Maintenance

State officials prioritize rural infrastructure projects to address $19 billion backlog

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Louisiana state officials say they will focus on maintenance projects, especially on rural roads and bridges, to address an estimated $19 billion backlog in highway projects. They are counting on a new Office of Louisiana Highway Construction to speed up the contracting process and provide more legislative oversight. Lawmakers are also exploring creating an infrastructure bank to help finance revenue-producing projects like roads, bridges, ports, and transit.

Why it matters

Deteriorating roads and bridges, especially in rural areas, have long been a concern for Louisiana residents. This new focus on maintenance aims to improve public safety and accessibility, while also potentially boosting economic development by facilitating the movement of goods and services.

The details

The new Office of Louisiana Highway Construction was created by the legislature last year to prioritize and expedite smaller maintenance projects. The office has already contracted firms to start work on 11 out of 62 minor bridges it wants to fix this year, using emergency procurement authority to bypass the typical bid process. Meanwhile, the Department of Transportation and Development is working to improve communication by allowing the public to track the status of any road or bridge project online.

  • In the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, only 26% of highway projects ready for the bid process received funding.
  • On January 21, 2026, the office's first project, a bridge over Morgan Branch on state Highway 424 in Washington Parish, began construction and is scheduled to be completed by July or August 2026.

The players

Office of Louisiana Highway Construction

An entity created by the Louisiana Legislature last year to speed up the contracting process for maintenance projects, especially on rural roads and bridges.

Rep. Ryan Bourriaque

The Republican chairman of the Louisiana House Transportation Committee, who is advocating for more infrastructure funding and the potential creation of an infrastructure bank.

Archie Chaisson

The executive director of the Office of Louisiana Highway Construction.

Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD)

The state agency responsible for larger infrastructure projects, which is also working to improve communication about project status and progress.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.