(The Center Square)− The Louisiana Legislature kicked off the 2025 regular session by approving a slate of major highway construction projects proposed by the state Department of Transportation and Development.

The list of approved projects spans key locations across the state, including Hammond, Bridge City, Lafayette, Monroe, Lake Charles, Bossier City, Alexandria, Chase and Baton Rouge.

While the Legislature has the authority to reorder project priorities, it may not add new projects or substitute those that have been removed.

DOTD’s construction budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year totals $1.11 billion, covering 323 projects scheduled for letting which is the process of soliciting construction bids.

DOTD Secretary Joe Donahue said the program has shifted since its initial presentation in October due to delays stemming from unforeseen issues.

“We didn’t know about them in October, but in between October and now those were identified as potentially delaying them,” Donahue told The Center Square. “So [we] put them on the list. Likely next year will be when they’re back up, because hopefully those issues will have been resolved.”

To reduce the financial burden on taxpayers, Donahue said DOTD frequently coordinates with private investors. For example, Meta will cover the full cost of infrastructure upgrades in Richland Parish.

“We are there early, whenever these things are announced, whenever an infrastructure need is identified, and have periodic meetings as those negotiations progress and beyond that,” Donahue told the Joint Transportation, Highways and Public Works Committee.

According to DOTD, 138 projects have moved into the construction phase and are no longer listed in the program. Other key changes include:

• Seven projects originally scheduled for letting in FY 2025-2026 have been accelerated and will now be let in the current fiscal year, FY 2024-2025.

• Fifty-two projects planned for FY 2024-2025 have been pushed to FY 2025-2026.

• Eighty-four projects were reclassified from Stage 4 (ready for letting) to Stage 3 (design and development).

• Three projects were canceled.

• One project was marked as completed, meaning construction was handled by DOTD district forces or another entity.

• Three projects were merged into other existing projects to streamline planning and avoid delays.

• Eighteen new projects were added to Stage 4, scheduled for letting in FY 2025-2026.

DOTD noted that not all 18 of the newly listed Stage 4 projects may appear in the final program due to adjustments in funding or project scope.