Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

Place Covered: Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1997-09-19

Duration: 00:14:53

Subjects: Transportation | STATE BUDGET

Contributors:

• Collins, Robert Host
• Duhe, Jeff Reporter
• Drennen, Mark Interviewee
• Foster, Mike Speaker
• Downer, Hunt Interviewee
• Siracusa, John Speaker
• Galway, Patrick Interviewee
• Denton, Frank Interviewee

This segment from the September 19, 1997, episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” features Jeff Duhe’s report on the progress made in four-laning the state’s highways through the TIMED (Transportation Infrastructure Model for Economic Development) program. Duhe reports that the program is funded through a four-cent gasoline tax that was enacted in 1989. His report includes highlights of a ribbon cutting ceremony for an elevated portion of Highway 90, including comments made by State Senator John Siracusa. Duhe also interviews: Commissioner of Administration Mark Drennen; Governor Mike Foster; Speaker of the House Hunt Downer; and Patrick Gallway, Port of New Orleans. Host Robert Collins then conducts an in-studio interview with Secretary Frank Denton of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD). He discusses: the status of the TIMED program; the $1 billion shortfall in the program; the constitutional amendment on the ballot creating an infrastructure bank to attract more federal funding; and the possibility of public-private partnerships to fund transportation projects.