Project Profile: The Louisiana Highway 3241 project, LA 3241: LA 36 To LA 435

The project is a one of three segments of a new four-lane, divided highway from I-12 near Lacombe to the southern terminus of LA 21 in Bush. This segment connects LA 36 to LA 435 in Talisheek. The length of this segment is 8.2 miles. This project is being funded by the British Petroleum Deepwater Horizon settlement. A TIFIA loan is allowing LADOTD to accelerate delivery of the project.

Highway 3241 is a three-phase project which will create a four-lane highway from the intersection of Louisiana Highway 40/41 in Bush to Interstate 12 in St. Tammany Parish. The first two phases have already been let for bid and contractors have been secured. The third phase is expected to go out for bid in 2023.

The first phase will be between Highway 40/41 and Louisiana Highway 435. The second phase will be between Highway 435 and Louisiana Highway 36. The third phase will be between Highway 36 and Interstate 12.

The LA 3241 project was originally part of the state's Transportation Infrastructure Model for Economic Development or TIMED program that encompassed 16 projects statewide.

The TIMED program began in 1989 following voter approval of a 4-cent increase to the state's gasoline tax. Louisiana accelerated the program later through the sale of bonds. The LA 3241 project is the 15th TIMED project to move forward.

• Contractor: James Construction Group, LLC

• This project received one of the first TIFIA loans made by the Build America Bureau through its Rural Projects Initiative, which makes TIFIA financing more accessible to small communities. Under this initiative, the Bureau can offer eligible borrowers in a qualified rural area significant savings over traditional TIFIA loans and other commercial financing products.
• Utilizing a TIFIA low interest loan, the state can save approximately $50 million in typical inflation costs due to funding delays.
• The LA 3241 project is the 15th TIMED project to move forward. The project is one of just two remaining as part of the TIMED (Transportation Infrastructure Model for Economic Development) Program, which first began in 1989 and funded a total of 16 projects.
• Project is critical to the safety of travelers and the economic vitality of the region and provides a major connection and economic growth for I-12 to Northeast St. Tammany Parish and all neighbors, businesses, and communities in between.

• Project Webpage
• LADOTD Construction of LA 3241
• Louisiana TIMED Program
• USDOT Press Releases
• I-12 Widening in St. Tammany Parish
• Public Roads - November/December 2005

Buddy Porta is the LA DOTD TIMED program manager
LADOT
1-877-452-3683