Baton Rouge Reporter

U.S. Congressman Garret Graves, a senior member of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, announced that an additional $104,044,257 in federal funding has been awarded to the State of Louisiana for transportation and infrastructure projects. The funds will be allocated to shovel-ready projects aimed at expediting their completion.

"The Capital Region has the fourth worst traffic in America. Not per capita. Total worst traffic. And the energy logistics of our Bayou and River Regions are crucial to Louisiana’s and America’s economy. Infrastructure must always be high on everyone’s 'to do' list in Louisiana, and we must fight for every penny we can get," said Graves.

He added that the $104 million could help launch or complete critical projects such as improvements to LA 30/LA 1 to connect a new Mississippi River bridge; the Intracoastal Bridge and the LA 415 Connector in West Baton Rouge; expedite the closure of the Washington St. Exit; accelerate LA 70 construction; and complete the LA 1 extension in Lafourche Parish.

"Today’s funds build on the billions we’ve secured in infrastructure investments to reduce traffic and increase the safety and efficiency of our roadways. As I’ve said, we’re running through the tape. We will not complete this term without exhausting all our energy on securing wins for our great state," Graves stated.

Federal “Redistribution Funds” are reallocated when federal programs funded through the federal Highway Trust Fund do not fully use their allocated dollars within a given year. The Federal Highway Administration redistributes these unused funds to states with an ability to obligate them before September 30th each year.