The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) said Friday the state could receive as much as $5.8 billion in infrastructure funding if the U.S. Senate passes the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
A deal on the $1.2 trillion infrastructure investment act was negotiated last week by a bipartisan group of Senators, including U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA).
“We got an agreement for the Americans and Louisianans who are tired of their long commutes, who are tired of not having enough flooding protection, and they want relief,” said Senator Cassidy. “This is a great deal to help Louisiana. Louisiana has been impacted more than any other state by flooding and natural disasters these past few years. In addition to billions for roads and bridges, it includes $47 billion to address resiliency and protect communities. This is the largest investment in roads, bridges, broadband, and our coastline in the history of our state. This is a huge win for Louisiana.”
The largest nationwide investment in federal infrastructure in history, the bill includes $110 billion for roads, bridges, and major projects; $40 billion for bridge repair, replacement, and rehabilitation; $11 billion for transportation safety programs; $29 billion to modernize public transit; $66 billion for passenger rail and $17 billion of port infrastructure, among other things.
“I would like to commend the Biden administration and Senator Cassidy on their efforts to pass the IIJA,” Gov. John Bel Edwards said. “These funds will have a crucial impact on the state and will help to create a better, modernized infrastructure system that will go towards our bridges, ports, public transit, and rail system. It is bipartisan efforts like this that grow our economy and put Louisiana on the path forward.”