Speaker Johnson today announced nearly $26 million in funding for two projects in Louisiana’s Fourth Congressional District to improve road safety and connectivity. Through the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant program, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) awarded $25 million to Bossier Parish for the Bossier Parish East-West Corridor Project and $640,000 to the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development for the I-10/I-12 Corridor Truck Parking Study.
“The Department of Transportation’s announcement of nearly $26 million in federal infrastructure funding in Louisiana’s Fourth Congressional District is welcome news. These grants are not only a blessing for residents of the Fourth District and for Louisiana, but also for the many individuals who traverse our roads daily,” Speaker Johnson said. “It is investments like these that make the continued rapid growth of the state and Bossier Parish possible. I look forward to the completion of these projects, which will ease traffic and improve connectivity in Bossier Parish and enhance safety along the I-10/I-12 Corridor. I thank Secretary Duffy for his leadership and thoughtful stewardship of taxpayer resources at the Department of Transportation.”
“Being awarded a federal BUILD grant is a tremendous achievement and a testament to the strength of the vision among local, state, and federal leaders for improving transportation in our state,” DOTD Secretary Glenn Ledet, Jr. said. “These grants are among the most competitive infrastructure funding opportunities in the nation, and Bossier Parish receiving one for their East-West Corridor reflects the merit of the chosen project, and the dedication of everyone who worked to bring that project forward. This investment in Bossier Parish and north Louisiana will strengthen connectivity, and ensure our overall system on all levels is better equipped to meet the needs of the residents, businesses, and visitors for years to come. This is also a reflection of DOTD’s ongoing initiative to vastly improve efficiency and effectiveness, as well as our continued efforts to explore, identify, and secure new funding opportunities.”
“On behalf of the Bossier Parish Police Jury and the citizens of Bossier Parish, I want to express our sincere appreciation to the U.S. Department of Transportation for awarding $25 million in BUILD grant funding to support critical infrastructure improvements in our parish. This significant investment represents a tremendous opportunity to strengthen our transportation network, improve safety, support Barksdale Air Force Base and its mission, and encourage continued economic growth throughout our community. The fact that Bossier Parish was selected as a recipient from among projects funded through the Department’s $1.73 billion nationwide BUILD grant program speaks to the importance of our project and the value it will bring to residents, businesses, and visitors alike. Reliable infrastructure is essential to maintaining our quality of life and ensuring that Bossier Parish remains a competitive place to live, work, and invest. This funding will help us address current transportation needs while positioning our community for future success. We appreciate the partnership of our federal, state, and local stakeholders, and especially Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, who helped make this award possible. We look forward to moving this project forward and delivering lasting benefits for the people of Bossier Parish for generations to come,” Bossier Parish Police Jury President Tom Salzer said.
Background:
- Bossier Parish East-West Corridor project: The project will construct a new roadway serving as an east-west connection extending Winfield Road beyond its current terminus at Bellevue Road to connect with Highway 3 (Benton Road).
- I-10 / I-12 Corridor Truck Parking Study: The project will evaluate existing and current truck parking demand along the I-10 and I-12 corridors, assess the feasibility of expanding truck parking capacity at publicly owned locations, and develop an implementation plan.
- Additionally, Speaker Johnson supported the Central Louisiana Regional Port’s request for BUILD grant funding, which will be used to further study and meet the needs of Fort Polk and the surrounding communities and parishes. The Port requested and was awarded $722,400 as part of the DOT announcement.
- The DOT announcement included over $50 million in investments throughout Louisiana.