Transportation Planning Process

Each year, the DOTD provides the Legislature with a program of construction to be begun in the next fiscal year and an additional list of projects proposed to be begun within the ensuing four years. DOTD district offices identify projects in coordination with MPOs. DOTD headquarters staff members select from among those projects and develop the proposed program, which then is submitted to the Joint Highway Priority Construction Committee. The committee holds public hearings and submits a report back to the DOTD for use in modifying the plan or developing future programs. The DOTD then creates the final Highway Priority Program and submits it to the House and Senate transportation committees for review. Ultimately, the program-both for the next fiscal year and ensuing years-is made part of the capital outlay bill and voted on by the full Legislature. The Legislature can delete any projects that are not prioritized according to statutorily provided criteria but cannot add or substitute projects (La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§48:229 et seq.).

Legislative Role in Transportation Planning

The Legislature holds hearings around the state and reviews the proposed construction program. Committee feedback is used to modify proposed programs or to develop future ones. The Legislature can delete-but cannot add or substitute-projects in the approval process.