The Federal Highway Administration has given the state the green light to conduct an environmental assessment for a new proposed Mississippi River Bridge south of Baton Rouge. Louisiana Transportation Secretary Glenn Ledet says the approval marks a significant step in advancing the projects, and it begins the formal process to ensure the bridge is planned responsibly.
“Impacts to social factors, economic factors, impacts to natural resources, historic preservation and, of course, what are the benefits with this associated project?” Ledet asked.
DOTD has already identified three locations for a proposed bridge to cross south of the I-10 Mississippi River Bridge. Ledet says the environmental assessment will help engineers develop a more detailed road design, conceptual bridge designs and cost estimates for the three alternatives.
“We’ve got three alternative alignments for the roadway and bridge as it crosses the Mississippi River. And then, of course, ties into both LA-1 as well as LA-30 in both the East and West side of the river,” Ledet said.
Two community briefings have been scheduled in December in St. Gabriel and Plaquemine. Four larger public meetings will follow in early 2026. Ledet says the goal is for the environmental assessment to take a year to complete.
“In September of ’26 you could begin next steps in terms of implementation. So this is that first key major milestone that we needed to reach,” Ledet noted.
