Louisiana Transportation Network Faces Array Of Woes

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Louisiana's roads and bridges are beset by dwindling dollars, pressing needs and the lack of any sweeping solutions on the horizon.

The Advocate reports even amid a $12.3 billion backlog of transportation infrastructure projects, nearly $91 million is set to be diverted to the state police and other services.

Officials at the state Department of Transportation and Development are scrambling to avoid the loss of federal dollars.

Motorists pay 38.4 cents per gallon in Louisiana in state and federal taxes.

That includes 16 cents for rank-and-file state projects and 4 cents for 16 special projects.

Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Robert Adley says the diversion is outrageous at a time when highway officials are scrambling for dollars.

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Information from: The Advocate, http://theadvocate.com