2011 Louisiana Transportation Conference A Success

BATON ROUGE, La. – Sherri H. LeBas, Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD), delivered the welcoming remarks at the opening session of the 2011 Louisiana Transportation Engineering Conference, which was held January 9-12 at the Baton Rouge River Center.

Approximately 1,800 people from 24 states attended the biennial conference, which provides a forum for education, sharing new ideas and methods, and discussing changes in the industry. The conference included 64 sessions and four workshops, and this year’s theme was “Transportation: A Key to a Sustainable Future.”

“The focus for this conference is addressing transportation challenges through innovation,” said DOTD Secretary Sherri H. LeBas. “Now, more than ever, it is important that professionals in the field of transportation continue to seek out innovative and creative solutions within our industry.”

The conference’s general session included key speeches by Sec. LeBas; Paul Rainwater, Division of Administration Commissioner; AASHTO Executive Director John Horsley; and Federal Highway Administrator Victor M. Mendez.

An awards luncheon was held on Wednesday, Jan. 12, to recognize special achievements in engineering and construction projects performed by transportation partners of the LTC. This competition recognized the "best of the best" projects, demonstrating dedication to providing the highest quality in transportation infrastructure to customers, the citizens of Louisiana and the users of the state’s highways, transit systems, airports, ports and other public works.

The award recipients are as follows:

· Roadway/Bridge Construction Less Than $10 Million:
U.S. 80 overlay from the Lincoln Parish Line to I-20 in Ouachita Parish

· Roadway/Bridge Construction Greater Than $10 Million:
I-10 from Paris Road to the Bayou Sauvage levee in Orleans Parish

· Other Infrastructure Construction Less Than $10 Million:
Lakefront Promenade, Lake Charles, Louisiana

· Other Infrastructure Construction Greater Than $10 Million:
Lake Charles Regional Airport, New Passenger Terminal Complex

· Bridge Design Project Development:
U.S. 80 Louisville Bridge Rehabilitation (Phase 2) in Ouachita Parish

· Road Design Project Development:
Interstate 12 Widening in Slidell, from Airport Rd. to I-10/I-59/I-12 interchange

· Intermodal/Public Works Project Development:
Poverty Point Reservoir, Richland Parish

· Context Sensitive Solution/Public Involvement:
I-10 Twin Span Existing Bridge Demolition

· Use of Innovative Product or Technology:
False River Regional Airport, LED Airport Lighting Test Program

· Special Achievement in Customer Satisfaction:
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Metropolitan Planning Organization Project Coordination

· Special Achievement in Customer Satisfaction:
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Utilities Coordination

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) is committed to delivering transportation and public works systems that enhance the quality of life. In addition to more than 16,600 miles of roadway, including over 890 miles of interstate, DOTD supports the development of the state’s aviation, marine and rail infrastructures. Through this work, we are able to facilitate economic development, create job opportunities, improve vital evacuation routes, and make critical freight corridors safer and more efficient.

For more information, please visit www.dotd.la.gov, email dotdcs@la.gov, or call DOTD’s Customer Service Center at (225) 379-1232 or 1-877-4LADOTD (1-877-452-3683). Business hours are 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Motorists can access up-to-date travel information by dialing 511 or by visiting www.511la.org. Out-of-state travelers can call 1-888-ROAD-511 (1-888-762-3511).

Filed Under: Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development

Categories: Local News, State News