Policies On Infrastructure in Louisiana

Aerial view of a multi-level highway interchange in Leadership Louisiana, with cars, trucks, trees, and buildings visible nearby.

Better Louisiana believes Louisiana must take the necessary steps to invest in its transportation and other critical infrastructure to enhance safety, relieve congestion in major urban areas, and support commerce and economic development.

Our Recommendations:

Restructure the Department of Transportation and Development in innovative ways that improve efficiency and effectiveness, speed project delivery, assure quality, and ensure transparency and accountability for taxpayers.
Develop a state plan for increasing long-term investment in transportation infrastructure that considers the decreasing purchasing power of the gasoline tax and increases in fuel efficiency.
Create a comprehensive database that shows how much money has been allocated to state infrastructure projects, how much has been spent and where projects stand in terms of construction.
Continue to prioritize investment in ports, airports and rail to encourage economic development.
Explore ways to address the state’s hundreds of deteriorating local water and sewerage systems, including cost-saving efficiencies such as consolidating districts and allowing personnel to service systems in multiple jurisdictions.
Identify ways to sustain long-term state financing of coastal restoration projects that go beyond the current reliance on surplus and excess revenues.
Ensure that funding of coastal restoration projects is based on science and data.
Maximize efforts to expand access to affordable high-speed internet and ensure citizens are equipped with the digital skills needed to take advantage of the benefits of enhanced connectivity.
Ensure that infrastructure spending is based on state priorities and not parochial interests or politics.