The Transportation, Highways and Public Works meeting held on May 8, 2025, by the Louisiana Legislature focused on ongoing initiatives within the Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD), particularly the introduction of a new project viewer tool designed to enhance transparency and public engagement.

The meeting commenced with an overview of various initiatives currently in progress, including data governance and the development of an online permit portal. However, the primary focus was on the newly launched project viewer, which is intended to provide legislators and the public with real-time information about transportation projects across the state.

Jerry Holder, a senior vice president at Garver, presented the project viewer, explaining its purpose and functionality. He emphasized that the tool aims to improve efficiency and project delivery by allowing the contracting community to rely on accurate project timelines. The project viewer currently displays nearly 1,000 projects, categorized into three phases: pre-construction, construction, and projects open to traffic. Holder noted that the viewer will continue to be updated weekly as new data is collected.

During the demonstration, Holder showcased specific projects, detailing their status and expected timelines. For instance, he highlighted a bridge replacement project that is currently open to traffic and a new bridge project that is in the pre-construction phase, with an estimated letting date in the fourth quarter of the following year.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to keep legislators informed about the project viewer and its updates, reinforcing the importance of this tool in facilitating communication between the DOTD and constituents. Overall, the introduction of the project viewer represents a significant step towards enhancing public access to information regarding transportation initiatives in Louisiana.