RESTORING FUNDS?- The Jimmie Davis Bridge in Northwest Louisiana was built in the 1960’s, it is a vital link between South Bossier Parish and Caddo Parish. But the bridge is showing its age and has been the subject of debate as to whether it should be upgraded or replaced. Yesterday in Baton Rouge lawmakers heard from District 4’s Democrat State Representative Cedric Glover who spoke before the House of Representatives Appropriations Committee about his House Bill 645, a bill that would restore $100 million in funding towards rebuilding the Jimmie Davis Bridge. Two years the allocated funding was diverted to finish the inter-city connection of Interstate 49 to I-220 through Shreveport’s Allendale Neighborhood, a project that hasn’t been fully funded nor finalized pending federal input. Glover told committee members that the Jimmie Davis Project cost less and is closer to being shovel ready.
"This project is ready to go right now, it was ready to go in 2020 and it was ready to go in 2019," Glover explained. "And so we should in fact be moving forward to address that issue at present as opposed to waiting for some point down the road."
"This project is ready to go right now, it was ready to go in 2020 and it was ready to go in 2019." Rep. Cedric Glover, District 4- Shreveport, LA
The funds for Jimmie Davis Bridge came from the BP/Deepwater Horizon Settlement Funds, but during the hearing lawmakers said there are more projects than funds currently available and want a review. The House Appropriations Committee voted 11 to 5 against HB645 and so once again – funding for the Jimmie Davis Bridge will be put on hold. Both Jimmie Davis Bridge and I-49 Intercity connection projects have to still clear the environmental process review before proceeding but the Jimmie Davis Bridge has a much smaller funding gap than I-49.
