Louisiana
Louisiana toll bridge P3 back on track
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
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 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
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
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.
Yasin Gungor
19 April 2026•Update: 19 April 2026
At least eight children were killed and two others were wounded in a shooting in the US state of Louisiana, local police said Sunday.
Shreveport Police Department spokesperson Christopher Bordelon said officers responded to the shooting just after 6 am (1100GMT), following a domestic disturbance call.
The age of the deceased ranged from one to 14 years, he said, adding that the incident involved at least 10 individuals across four separate locations.
The suspect attempted to flee by carjacking a vehicle and driving to neighboring Bossier City, where police located and shot him dead.
Bordelon said Shreveport police officers pursued the suspect’s vehicle into Bossier, where three officers discharged their firearms, killing him. He said investigators believe the suspect was the only person who opened fire at the locations.
Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux described the attack as “maybe the worst tragic situation we’ve ever had,” adding: “It’s a terrible morning.”
No immediate information was available about the condition of the injured.
Louisiana
‘Growth pays for growth’: Entergy’s Fair Share Plus model to save Louisiana customers $2.8 billion
Think tank proposes capping Social Security benefits at $100,000
A Washington think tank proposed capping annual Social Security benefits at $100,000 for couples as a way to shrink a looming deficit in the retirement trust fund.
When it comes to retiring, the best places to do so often are affordable, have a high quality of life and access to quality healthcare.
If you’re looking for a place to retire, Niche has identified the best places for retirees in Louisiana.
In its list, Niche has taken into account factors like weather, crime rates, housing costs and access to amenities.
The 5 best places to retire in Louisiana according to Niche
These are the top five best places to retire in Louisiana, according to Niche.
1. Oak Hills Place
Oak Hills Place is a suburb of Baton Rouge and is the overall best place to retire in Louisiana. This suburb, located in East Baton Rouge Parish, has a population of 9,038 and offers residents an urban suburban mix feel. The area is highly rated for families, diversity, as well as health and fitness. Here, the median home value is $437,900 and the median rent is $1,422, according to Niche.
2. Westminster
Westminster is another suburb of Baton Rouge and is the second-best place to retire in Louisiana. Located in East Baton Rouge Parish, this suburb has a population of 2,559 and offers residents an urban suburban mix feel. This area is highly rated for nightlife, diversity, families, health and fitness, as well as commute. The median home value here is $266,100 and the median rent is $1,482, says Niche.
3. River Ridge
River Ridge is a suburb of New Orleans, located in Jefferson Parish, and is the third-best place to retire in Louisiana. This suburb has a population of 13,312 and offers residents a dense suburban feel. The area is highly rated for public schools, family, nightlife and diversity. The median home value is $357,400 and the median rent is $1,127, according to Niche.
4. Westlake
Westlake is a town in Calcasieu Parish that is among the best places to retire in Louisiana. With a population of 4,743, this town offers residents a rural feel. The town is highly rated for public schools, housing, families, jobs, cost of living, nightlife and weather. Here, the median home value is $166,100 and the median rent is $1,049, says Niche.
5. Prien
Prien is another town in Calcasieu Parish that is among the best places to retire in Louisiana. This town has a population of 7,119 and offers residents a suburban rural mix feel. The town is highly rated for public schools, housing, families, nightlife and weather. The median home value here is $278,000 and the median rent is $1,292, according to Niche.
Presley Bo Tyler is the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team reporter for USA Today Network. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at PTyler@Gannett.com
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