Pelican State News

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) announced that 18 statewide projects received bids in March, with 14 contractors submitting apparent low bids totaling $44.4 million.

In the bridge replacement and repair category, projects include the replacement of the Coulee Ile Des Cannes Bridge on LA 93 in Lafayette Parish at $1,635,905, phase 2 repair of movable bridges over Lower Atchafalaya River and Bayou Teche in St. Mary Parish at $1,559,383, and the replacement of a drain bridge on LA 540 in Claiborne Parish at $703,278.

For pavement and overlay works, several projects were bid on. These include milling, patching, and overlay on LA 611-9 in Jefferson Parish at $2,831,444, similar works on LA 24 in Terrebonne Parish at $3,999,991, and on LA 424 in Washington Parish at $1,997,024. Other notable bids are for work on LA 13 in Acadia Parish at $4,694,424 and joint patching and resealing on LA 3 in Bossier Parish at $2,092,972.

Grading, overlay, and drainage works are slated for LA 3147 in Vermilion Parish with a bid of $5,667,263. Additional work includes repairs on LA 14 in Iberia Parish at $1,223,861, and multiple upgrades along LA 428 in Orleans Parish at $3,266,429.

Other projects cover intersection realignment on LA 3227 at LA 157 in Bossier Parish at $6,495,936, sidewalk construction at Discovery School in Jefferson Parish at $369,993, the M/V St. Francisville ferry drydock for $2,431,674, and boiler replacement at the DOTD headquarters in East Baton Rouge Parish at $834,223.

DOTD emphasizes that the identification of an “apparent low bidder” does not immediately finalize or award the contract, as this takes approximately 30 days. Additionally, any bids that fall outside a standard range or exceed the budget initiate further evaluation. "DOTD will continue to monitor increases in bid prices related to supply chain and workforce issues," they stated.

Construction priority is determined by various factors, including road and bridge condition, the urgency of improvements, and traffic volume and type.

For detailed information on these projects, the DOTD directs the public to visit their website at www.dotd.la.gov.