Louisiana is Just Getting Started on Rural Bridge Construction
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) celebrated the completion of five rural bridges in Winn Parish this week, but it’s only the beginning of a statewide effort.
Four of the new structures are located along Louisiana Highway 1232, east of the community of Bethlehem, and the other is on Louisiana Highway 1231-1 in city of Winnfield.
State officials marked the occasion with a ribbon cutting ceremony Sept. 25 at one of the Highway 1232 bridges, northwest of Winnfield.
“These bridges represent more than just physical structures,” State Rep. Jack McFarland said. “They symbolize the investment in the future of rural areas. It demonstrates a commitment to enhancing mobility, boosting local economies, and ensuring that rural residents have equal access to vital services.”
Last year, the Louisiana State Legislature appropriated up to $2.5 million for the project. In-house DOTD crews built the bridges.
“By embracing cooperation and teamwork, we were able to provide these modernized structures to the community on a highly accelerated timeline,” DOTD Secretary Glenn Ledet Jr. said.
The newly established Office of Louisiana Highway Construction plans to fix or replace 62 other bridges in rural parts of the state by the end of 2026.
A 2023 report classified 11% of Louisiana’s bridges structurally deficient. In both 2024 and 2025, the state was ranked the 8th highest in the U.S. with structurally deficient bridges.
“As a former parish president, I understand that and how some of these all-system bridges can really impact daily commuters in parishes and different regions of the state,” Archie Chaisson, director of the Office of Louisiana Highway Construction, told the Louisiana Radio Network.
Sources: Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, Red River Radio, Louisiana Radio Network