TRANSPORTATION: Memorializes Congress to secure federal funding to remove four closed bridges on United States Highway 90 in St. Tammany Parish

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mike Bayham and 15 co-sponsors

HCR 68 seeks $10 million in FY 2027 THUD funds from Congress to remove four closed US 90 bridges in St. Tammany Parish to restore a vital regional corridor.

Taken by the Clerk of the House and presented to the Secretary of State in accordance with the Rules of the House.

What the bill is

Type: House Concurrent Resolution

Sponsor: Rep. Mike Bayham (with Bayham as primary; co-sponsor noted)

Jurisdiction: Louisiana

Session: 2026 Regular Session

Title: Transportation: Memorializes Congress to secure federal funding to remove four closed bridges on United States Highway 90 in St. Tammany Parish

Purpose and intent

The resolution memorializes the United States Congress to secure federal funding to assist the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LADOTD) in removing four closed bridges on US Highway 90 in St. Tammany Parish.

Specifically requests $10 million in federal funding from the FY 2027 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD) appropriations process.

Key provisions and changes

Direct action requested: Urges Congress to take necessary actions to obtain $10 million in federal funding.

Allocation purpose: Funds would be provided to LADOTD to remove four bridges that were closed due to structural integrity deficiencies.

Context provided in the preamble:

The four bridges are nearly a century old and were closed in May 2022.
Closures have disrupted a major commercial, commuter, and hurricane-evacuation corridor linking St. Tammany with Orleans and St. Bernard parishes and, more broadly, the New Orleans metro area to Mississippi and the eastern Gulf coast.
Removing the unsafe structures is framed as a first step toward reconnecting the US 90 corridor.

Who/what is affected

State agency: Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LADOTD)

Geographic scope: St. Tammany Parish (along US Highway 90)

Broader impact: Potential improvement to regional transport connectivity for residents, businesses, and hurricane evacuation routes; restoration of a critical axis linking New Orleans metro with Mississippi and the Gulf Coast.

Procedural and timeline aspects

This is a memorial resolution, not a bill altering law. It expresses the Legislature’s position and request to Congress.

If adopted, it communicates to the U.S. Congress (Senate, House) and Louisiana’s congressional delegation.

Timing: Seeks consideration within the FY 2027 THUD appropriations cycle, i.e., federal fiscal year 2027 funding decisions.

Practical implications

The resolution itself does not appropriate funds; it requests federal funding through the federal appropriations process.

Success depends on congressional action to allocate $10 million to LADOTD for the bridge removals.

The proposed action is framed as a step toward reconnection and safety improvements along a key regional corridor.

Notable details

The bridges’ closure occurred in May 2022 due to structural integrity concerns.

The resolution emphasizes that removal is a precursor to potential future reconstruction of US 90 in the area.

Summary: HCR 68 seeks federal support—specifically $10 million in FY 2027 THUD funds—to remove four closed bridges on US Highway 90 in St. Tammany Parish, aiming to restore a vital transportation corridor and support regional connectivity and safety.

Bill