BATON ROUGE, La. Department of Transportation & Development Secretary Joe Donahue presented an update on infrastructure projects across the state during an oversight hearing today with the House Committee on Transportation. .

During the 2024 Regular Session that ended in June, lawmakers distributed an additional $400 million in the budget (HB1) to DOTD for road improvements and were eager to learn which projects received funding. Committee members also questioned the department about systemic problems they hear about from constituents and inefficiencies within the agency. Members pressed Secretary Donahue to clearly outline changes that have been implemented to date addressing those complaints.

“Today was a good start to see how we’re executing the plan we set forth in the budget passed in June,” said Transportation Chair Ryan Bourriaque (Cameron). “Citizens are expecting major reforms at DOTD and oversight by this committee is necessary to see how that effort is taking shape.”

In addition to today’s hearing members say the Boston Consulting Group is conducting an independent internal review of DOTD searching for organizational challenges and ineffective practices within the agency which employs 4,200 staff. That report is expected to be completed by year’s end.

“One thing we know about DOTD is that it doesn’t work in its current form. That must change,” said Vice Chair Bryan Fontenot (Thibodaux).

On July 1st, DOTD sent a questionnaire to all members of the Louisiana House and Senate legislators asking for their input on future transportation needs, investments, and establishing a vision for policy decisions by 2025.

The Transportation Committee plans to hold a follow up hearing in August.