Posted on August 17, 2021
The $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that cleared the U.S. Senate on Tuesday includes roughly $6 billion for Louisiana’s bridges and highway over the next five years.
The legislation also puts $371 million into Louisiana’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund Program, which provides low-interest loans to finance projects to bring them into compliance with the requirements of the Clean Water Act. Another $53 million is designated for Lake Pontchartrain restoration efforts.
The measure authorizes the Interstate 14 corridor that would run from Georgia to Texas and cut through Alexandria and Leesville in central Louisiana. Money for broadband access to rural parts of the state, ports, waterways, coastlines, airports and energy infrastructure are also included in the legislation.
Ken Naquin, CEO of the Louisiana Associated General Contractors, said Louisiana infrastructure contractors ”have been waiting for a federal bill like this since former President George W. Bush was in office 20 years ago.”
While the legislation does not directly address specific projects, it allows the state and local government agencies to prioritize public works spending on projects such as highways, drainage and flood mitigation, broadband service, coastal restoration and weatherization, he said.
Naquin said it is proven that for every dollar spent on infrastructure, it turns over in the economy five times. The direct result, he added, is better roads, drainage, coastal protection and more clean water.
“Where else can Congress get such a return on their dollar? Infrastructure puts people to work, it lets them pay rent, buy groceries, travel, entertain, do all the things that spend money.
The Senate passed the bill by a vote of 69-30. The measure now heads to the U.S. House.
According to a report by the American Society of Civil Engineers in 2017, Louisiana received a D+ grade on its infrastructure report card, saying the state’s infrastructure “needs immediate attention.” With 12,915 bridges and 16,387,706 square feet of bridge deck, 13.5% of bridges in Louisiana are structurally deficient, and Louisiana ranks 2nd in the nation in number of structurally deficient bridges based on square footage of bridge deck, the analysis said.
The report mentioned that the condition of roadways in Louisiana had slightly improved since its 2012 scorecard, but this was due to a onetime influx of federal dollars from the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Driving on roads needing repair cost Louisiana drivers $6.5 billion per year in additional vehicle repairs, travel delays, traffic crashes and operating costs.
There is a $10.1 billion backlog of roadway projects in the state, the analysis said.
“This legislation will create tens of thousands of new jobs,” U.S. Sen. Cassidy, R-Louisiana, said in a statement. “The new bridges and repaired highways will shorten commutes. Rural broadband will connect and give all Americans access to telehealth, online education and other benefits. Flood mitigation, weatherization and coastal restoration will protect against flooding and lower utility bills. Improved water, sewer and drainage will revitalize communities. This bill is good for Louisiana and the United States.”
