Louisiana

Louisiana toll bridge P3 back on track

Published

2 years ago

January 23, 2024

Louisiana’s largest and most complex public-private partnership that will replace an aging bridge over Interstate 10 appears back on track after the state’s new administration hammered out a revised agreement with the concessionaire to assuage political opposition.

The modified agreement lowers tolls and includes a 15% equity contribution for local infrastructure, new Gov. Jeff Landry announced last week, calling it “one hell of a deal.”

Landry, a Republican, took office after Democrat John Bel Edwards was term-limited out of office. Replacing the Calcasieu River bridge was a top priority for Edwards – and former transportation secretary and gubernatorial candidate Shawn Wilson – but until last week it was uncertain whether Landry would continue that commitment.

“I was pretty surprised that they’ve been able to come to a preliminary new agreement as quickly as they have, just because these P3 things are tough and I wasn’t sure how motivated the incoming governor was,” said Baruch Feigenbaum, senior managing director of transportation policy at Reason Foundation. “That’s a pretty positive step for P3s in the U.S.”

The $2.1 billion project includes a replacement of the nearly 70-year-old Calcasieu River Bridge and renovation and widening of the adjacent nine-mile Interstate 10 corridor in southwest Louisiana.

The Louisiana Legislature’s joint Transportation, Highways and Public Works Committee is set to vote on the revised P3 contract Jan. 30.

The committee in October narrowly killed the previous plan amid opposition to the tolls from Republicans and the trucking lobby.

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry has reached a revised public-private partnership agreement to replace the Calcasieu River bridge.

Louisiana Governor’s Office

The committee’s vote to kill the deal prompted federal transportation officials to warn that it would rescind a $150 million Mega grant if an agreement was not reached by Sept. 30.

Landry announced the deal last week with a group of southwest Louisiana lawmakers. The new agreement lowers tolls by an average of 25%, trimming large commercial truck tolls to $8.25 from $12.50 and allowing all local passenger cars to pay 25 cents, on top of the 15% equity commitment to the region, local lawmakers said in a release.

“We are immensely grateful to Gov. Jeff Landry for his unwavering commitment to securing a deal that truly benefits the people of southwest Louisiana,” the lawmakers said. “This approach signifies a new era of inclusive and transparent governance.”

The state last August tapped a consortium led by Plenary Americas US Holdings Inc., with Sacyr Infrastructure USA LLC and Acciona Concesiones S.L. each with a 30% stake.

It remains to be seen if the tolls and equity contribution, which still lacks details, will require a revamped financing plan, Feigenbaum said.

“Overall these are not huge changes, it doesn’t change the scope or the amount of the project,” he said. “It’s just playing around with the tolls and making it more friendly to some of the local residents.”

The project is structured as a design-build-finance-operate-maintain.

Louisiana, which funds most of its transportation infrastructure with a long-stagnant gas tax and faces a $14 billion infrastructure backlog, would have had a hard time covering the tab on its own, Feigenbaum said.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development announced in December that it had extended the deadline for executing the P3 for 60 days, until Feb. 1. The extension provided more time for “further limited negotiations and to secure necessary approvals, with the ultimate goal being to advance the project,” the DODT said in a release.

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Louisiana

Is it legal to trim your neighbor’s branches in Louisiana? What law says

Published

5 hours ago

March 21, 2026

Press Room

Is it legal to trim your neighbor’s branches in Louisiana? What law says

Spring is a time of warmer weather, blooming flowers and when trees regain their leafy branches.

During this time, many Louisiana residents will likely begin landscaping projects, like shaping up the trees and bushes on their property.

Although, if a neighbor’s tree or bush limbs reach over to your property, are you allowed to trim them?

You can trim branches from neighbor’s trees in Louisiana if they cross onto your property

When it comes to tree branches or roots, bushes or plants on a neighboring property, landowners have the right to demand that anything extending over or into their property be trimmed.

This means if a neighbor’s trees, bushes or plants encroach onto someone else’s property, the branches or limbs may be trimmed at the expense of that neighbor.

However, landowners do not have the right to demand such if the neighbor’s roots or branches do not interfere with the enjoyment of the landowner’s property, according to Louisiana State Legislature.

If a neighbor refuses to cut or trim trees or bushes that reach over onto your property, then you may be permitted to cut or trim them yourself.

However, you could be held liable for property damage if you cut or trim parts of a tree or bush that are still on your neighbor’s property without their permission, says Bayou Tree Service. If a neighbor’s tree or plant dies as a result of you cutting or trimming a portion, this could also make you liable for property damage.

Presley Bo Tyler is a reporter for the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team for USA Today. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at PTyler@Gannett.com

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Louisiana

Unauthorized drones detected over US Air Force base housing nuclear-capable B-52 bombers: military

Published

17 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Press Room

Unauthorized drones detected over US Air Force base housing nuclear-capable B-52 bombers: military

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A U.S. Air Force Base that houses B-52 bombers capable of carrying nuclear weapons detected “multiple unauthorized drones” in its vicinity earlier this month, a base official confirmed to Fox News Digital.

“Barksdale Air Force Base detected multiple unauthorized drones operating in our airspace during the week of March 9th,” a Barksdale AFB spokesperson told Fox News Digital on Friday.

The spokesperson added: “Flying a drone over a military installation is not only a safety issue, it is a criminal offense under federal law.”

Base officials are working closely with federal and local law enforcement agencies to investigate the drone sightings, the spokesperson said.

MYSTERY DRONES FLY NEAR DC-AREA MILITARY BASE AS IRAN TENSIONS ESCALATE

“The security of our installation and the safety of our people are top priorities, and we will continue to vigilantly monitor our airspace,” the official added.

Barksdale is east of Shreveport in Louisiana and encompasses 22,000 acres with a population of around 15,000.

The drone detections come amid heightened security at Air Force bases in the U.S. as the war in Iran continues.

A shelter-in-place order was issued on March 9 at the base that was lifted shortly after, but the drone sights continued through the week.

US DIPLOMATIC FACILITY IN IRAQ STRUCK BY DRONE

US Air Force B-52H long range strategic bombers sit on the tarmac at Barksdale Air Force Base in 2007. (Paul J. Richards/AFP via Getty Images)

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Mick Mulroy, former deputy assistant secretary of defense for the Middle East, told ABC News it didn’t look like an average drone enthusiast.

Bombs wait to be loaded on to a B-52H long range bomber at Barksdale Air Force Base in 2007. (Paul J. Richards/AFP via Getty Images)

“It looked like this was deliberate and intentional to see just how they would react,” he said. “Seeing this probe on a base in the United States is very troubling.”

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Louisiana

What channel is UL-Texas State softball on? Time, Live score from SBC series

Published

1 day ago

March 20, 2026

Press Room

What channel is UL-Texas State softball on? Time, Live score from SBC series

After dropping its opening Sun Belt Conference series, Louisiana softball is eager to get back to Lamson Park.

The Ragin’ Cajuns (17-12, 1-2) are back home this week searching for some more consistency and to get back into the win column, hosting Texas State for their final SBC series against the Bobcats. Last time out, UL struggled offensively, getting outhit against Southern Mississippi. Second-year head coach Alyson Habetz is hopeful that being in front of Cajun Nation will help her team get back to playing to UL standard.

For the Bobcats, this marks their second SBC series after taking their first against the University of Louisiana Monroe. Texas State (19-10, 2-1) followed that up with a non-conference win over Houston, then a five-inning run-rule loss against Lamar. With both squads coming into the series with a loss, each game will be close between the Cajuns and Bobcats.

Here’s how to watch Ragin’ Cajun softball in its SBC series vs Texas State this weekend, including time, TV schedule, and streaming information.

Watch Louisiana softball vs Texas State on ESPN+

Louisiana softball vs Texas State live score updates

What channel is Louisiana softball vs Texas State on?

Livestream: ESPN+

Louisiana vs. Texas State will be available live on ESPN+ for the teams’ second SBC weekend of play in the 2026 college softball season. Dan McDonold and Yvette Girouard will provide commentary from Lamson Park. Streaming options for the game include ESPN+.

What time does Louisiana softball play Texas State today?

Date: Friday, March 20, Saturday, March 21 and Sunday, March 22
Start time: 6 p.m. Friday; 2 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday

The Louisiana vs. Texas State game starts at 6 p.m. Friday at Lamson Park in Lafayette, followed by its second game on Saturday at 2 p.m. The Cajuns and Bobcats will close out the three-game series on Sunday at 1 p.m.

Louisiana softball vs Texas State history

Series record: Louisiana leads 40-10

In Lafayette: Louisiana leads 17-4

In San Marcos: Louisiana leads 14-6

Louisiana’s last win: April 27, 2025 (4-3)

Texas State’s last win: April 26, 2025 (3-2)

Shannon Belt covers high school sports and the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow her high school and Cajuns coverage on Twitter: @ShannonBelt3. Got questions regarding HS/UL athletics? Send them to Shannon Belt at sbelt@gannett.com.

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