Louisiana Funding Spat Won't Slow Jimmie Davis Bridge Project
A furious budget-related dispute erupted among Louisiana lawmakers last week, and it initially seemed to deprive an often-delayed replacement bridge project in Shreveport of $140 million of funding—more than one-third of its total cost. But state officials and the prime contractor for the 50-year-old, heavily used Jimmie Davis Bridge that spans the Red River say the issue won't prevent the design-build project from moving forward.
On June 12, the USA Today network quoted a key official working for Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) saying the project will continue normally: The funds "will need to be replaced going forward by the next administration and Legislature, but my expectation is that will happen next year." The official, Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne, said there are sufficient funds to start the work.
The Louisiana Dept. of Transportation and Development added that the last-minute change in funding levels won't affect the progress or timeline for completion. The state has $100 million allocated from the American Rescue Plan Act, and an additional $108 million in federal bridge funds and $18 million in state bonds.
Last February, the agency identified James Construction Group as the successful proposer for the project, with a bid of $362 million and roughly five years to complete its work. Lafayette-based Huval & Associates is performing design.
Dale Willis, area manager for the contractor, said his company already has a contract and expects to begin construction work next spring.
The department says it will submit a capital outlay request to restore funding that was removed for the four-lane bridge and for conversion of the old structure to a park.
The unexpected funding removal caught bridge supporters by surprise. Local media characterized the cut funds as an act of political retribution against fellow Republican lawmakers representing the Shreveport and Bossier Parish area who voted against increasing the state's spending limit to allow use of surplus funds for other infrastructure projects and to pay down debt.
Bossier Parish representative Dodie Horton denounced the cut funds as a surprise inserted into the state construction funding measure at the last minute and accused those behind it of committing an "attack" on residents of Bossier and Shreveport.
The bridge project has been discussed for years. Last year, department officials scuttled an initial procurement process for which The James Group was the only proposer. A new request for proposals produced three shortlisted firms: American Bridge Co., Thalle Construction Co. and James Construction Group.
