Connecting the Coast: The future of Highway 90 between Louisiana and Mississippi rests on federal funding
Louisiana and Mississippi leaders are waiting on the green light for federal funding to rebuild US 90 bridges
Louisiana and Mississippi leaders are waiting on the green light for federal funding to rebuild US 90 bridges
After years of delays, detours and deterioration, Louisiana leaders are holding out hope that much-needed repairs will soon begin on four U.S. 90 bridges between Louisiana and Mississippi.
"This is as hopeful as I have been since this all started," said Louisiana State Representative Stephanie Berault, who represents Slidell.
Louisiana and Mississippi delegates have been working together on securing a federal grant that would be the catalyst to getting the major arteries reopened.
Berault said in June of 2024, when she took office the estimate to fix all five bridges in disrepair would be $350 million. More recently, inspectors took a second look at the most expensive bridge project to the east and determined, instead of a full overhaul, the bridge could be repaired.
That means only the four to the west would need to be rebuilt. That price tag was closer to $100 million.
With the new estimate, leaders began eying a federal grant that they believe would be a good fit for those projects and would cover roughly half the cost.
"We had to wait a little bit for the grant cycle to reopen with the federal government shut down," said Berault. "Once it reopened, we submitted a grant in June of this year, and we've been told to expect an announcement of who will be awarded those grants in November. Which is exciting as long as that works out."
However, the Louisiana and Mississippi Departments of Transportation aren't just sitting idle. Both agencies are moving forward as if they will be given the green light on the grant.
They are planning public hearings, working on designs, and preparing in the event they are awarded the money.
Berault says one of the strongest elements working in their favor is their congressional connection.
"I think that one of the things that's very helpful is the relationship that our state officials have with our federal officials. Obviously, we have some pretty powerful allies in Congress," said Berault.
"We're applying with Mississippi. So, it's a team effort on this. They are just as passionate as we are about getting these bridges reopened again," said Berault.
There will be two public hearings, one in Mississippi and one in Louisiana.
The first is October 20 from 4:30 until 7 p.m. at the Pearlington Recovery Center at 5265 Highway 604 in Pearlington.
The second is October 26 from 4:30 until 7 p.m. at Northshore High School in Slidell.
The open-house style meeting will present the findings of studies, project impacts for neighbors and an overview of the plans.