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Louisiana is set to receive $1 billion over the next five years to improve 400 bridges throughout the state as part of the Bridge Formula Program included in the bipartisan infrastructure package.

Gov. John Bel Edwards last week announced the funding for Louisiana, which includes $202.6 million this fiscal year. In total, the bridge program administered through the Federal Highway Administration will dedicate $26.5 billion to states to help improve about 15,000 of the 45,023 bridges in poor condition nationwide.

“Louisiana will be well served by this program, as our funding needs for infrastructure projects are immense,” Edwards said.

“Bridge closures or weight restrictions severely hinder our agriculture, manufacturing and service industries, as well as public transit, commuter travel and school bus routes,” he said. “Limiting closures will provide a better overall quality of life to our residents, motorists and businesses.”

Louisiana is one of only seven states set to receive more than $1 billion through the Bridge Formula Program, which awarded the most to California at $4.2 billion, according to the Federal Highway Administration website.

Federal data show Louisiana has the seventh most bridges in poor condition with 1,634, behind only Iowa with 4,571, Pennsylvania with 3,353, Illinois with 2,374, Oklahoma with 2,326, Missouri with 2,190, and New York with 1,702.

States are set to receive a total of $5.3 billion, with another $165 million going to tribes, during the first year of the program, which also covers “off-system” bridges, or bridges owned by counties, cities, towns or other local agencies that do not fall under the federal-aid highway system.

Louisiana has the third largest bridge infrastructure in the nation when considering number and size. Currently, there are 7,846 state owned bridges, with 795 in need of major repair or replacement, as well as 4,736 locally owned bridges, with 793 in need of repair or replacement, according to an Edwards news release.

Federal guidance issued with the program eliminated a typical 20% state or local funding match, meaning states can use federal funds for 100% of local off-system projects.

“This new federal investment comes at the right time as many of our bridges, including those on the interstate system, are 45 to 65 years old,” Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development Secretary Shawn Wilson said. “The number of bridges falling into poor condition is expected to increase greatly in the coming years and this funding will allow us to make necessary improvements before these bridges deteriorate to the point of closure. Having shared bridge closures with the public for some time, no parish is exempt and problems exist on state and local bridges alike. I am looking forward to using more than the minimum established by USDOT to help locals address their needs as well.”

The department identified at least 17 projects in 15 parishes set to advance in 2022.

Democrat U.S. Rep. Troy Carter, the only member of the state’s House delegation to vote for the infrastructure law, touted his work on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to help bring the nation’s largest investment in bridges to life.

He cited specific bridge projects advancing this year due to the funding: US90Z Harvey Canal Tunnel in Jefferson Parish, US 61 Jefferson Highway Overpass in East Baton Rouge Parish, the LA 47 Intracostal Waterway Gulf Outlet Bridge in Orleans Parish, and LA 404 Bayou and Canal Bridges in Iberville Parish.

“Repairing our bridges will make our community safer, create jobs in our local economy, allow commerce to move more efficiently, and help us stay connected,” Carter said.

A 14-year-old girl was arrested after a bomb threat Tuesday at Franklin Junior High , the third such threat targeting a Franklin school in less than a week.

The girl, whose name is being withheld because she's a juvenile, was arrested at 8:39 a.m. Tuesday, less than an hour after police were made aware of the threat, Police Chief Morris Beverly said.

From the press release:

At approximately 7:42 a.m. Tuesday, the Franklin Police Department was notified of a bomb threat at the Franklin Junior High School, as well as information regarding a bomb threat that was circulating on a social media post. The Franklin Police Department additionally received information of possible threats to Franklin Senior High School. The detectives division of the Franklin Police Department worked to locate and identify the caller. At this time the buildings have been cleared.

Through their investigation detectives learned that a juvenile called in the threats.

A juvenile female, 14, was arrested on January 18, 2022, at 8:39 a.m., on the charges of terrorizing and communicating false information of planned bombing on school. The juvenile was booked, processed, and released pending juvenile court.

Bomb threats targeted Franklin High on two days last week. The Franklin police didn't link those threats to Tuesday's arrests.

December 10, 1930 — January 13, 2022
Harold Jones, age 91, of Morgan City, Louisiana passed away on Thursday, January 13, 2022. Harold was born December 10, 1930. He was a native and lifelong resident of Morgan City, LA. He was employed with Geophysical Services Inc. (GSI) for over 30 years. Harold was an avid outdoorsman who loved to fish. He enjoyed being with his family and most of all spending time with his many grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his loving wife of 58 years, Dorothie Broussard Jones and his parents, Sam and Eunice Rhodes Jones.
He leaves to cherish his fond memory, three children: Ramona Jones Wiggington (Scott), Rhonda Jones Burtner (Dave), and Rosalind Jones Wells; eight grandchildren: Heath Jones (Jessica), Gaylon Jones Morales (Josh), Robert Wells, Hayley Alpha, Tamera Wells, Hannah Burtner Cashat (Jay), Taylor Burtner (Megan) and Harold Alpha; 19 great-grandchildren: Brenna Jones, Brock Jones, Kase Morales, Thea Morales, McKayla Wells, Cheyenne Wells Bellard, Conner Wells, Paityn Wells, Willam Wells, Jose Perou, Jace LaViolette, Kerstin Cashat, Eden Fairley, Madden Cashat, Benjamin Cashat, Hollyn Cashat, Amelia Burtner, Raelynn Burtner and Henry Burtner; eight great-great-grandchildren, Easton Wells, Holden Wells, Adalynn Bellard, Kynlee Bellard, Karter Bellard, Isabella Billiot, Bentlee Wells and Dalton Wells; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Family and friends of Harold were invited to attend the Visitation on Monday, January 17, 2022 at Hargrave Funeral Home from 10AM-12AM with Funeral Services immediately following. Pallbearers were Heath Jones, Robert Wells, Harold Alpha, Taylor Burtner, Jose Perou, Conner Wells, Brock Jones and Jace LaViolette. Honorary Pallbearers were Dave Burtner and Scott Wiggington. The family of Harold would like to give a special thanks to Ruby Jones Breaux, Wayne and Jenny Aucoin and Dan and Diane Irwin.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hargravefuneralhome.com for the Jones family.

May 28, 1957 — January 14, 2022
Hope Ann Marino Johnson, 64, a resident of Berwick, passed away peacefully on January 14, 2022 at her home, surrounded by her loving family.
Hope was born on May 28, 1957 in Franklin, the daughter of Charles J. Marino Sr. and Esther Landry Marino.
For over 40 years she was the owner and operator of Dance World, teaching thousands of kids dance. Her dance students adored her, and throughout her years, she taught future doctors, teachers, lawyers, and leaders in the community. Hope loved her community and over the years, she was very gracious with her time, having her dance students perform at Mardi Gras Balls, nursing homes and other community events. She worked at Vida Paint and Supply for over 20 years. Hope was a devout Catholic who loved participating in St. Joseph Altars every year. She was extremely proud of her Sicilian heritage traveling back to Corleone, Sicily, where her grandparents were from, to visit with family and learn of her heritage. When she wasn’t working or always on the go, she loved sitting down to spend time with her family and friends, but the time she cherished the most was the time spent with her daughters and grandchildren.
She will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her husband M. David Johnson of Berwick; two daughters, Mallory Johnson Fuhrer and fiancé Danny Paul Bergeron II of Prairieville and Paige Johnson Dufrene and husband Robert “Bobby” of Morgan City; two grandchildren, Blakely Fuhrer and Miller Fuhrer; two brothers, Charles J. Marino Jr. and wife Felicia of York, Pennsylvania and Johnny A. Marino and wife Ellen of Mandeville.
Hope was preceded in death by her parents.
The family would like to thank Brownie Taylor, Judy Lane, Donna Jewett, Dallas Gallegos, Joan Simon, the Bourgeois family and Bill New and family for their help in providing comfort and care to Hope and our family, as well as other family and friends who have provided meals during this difficult time.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Bobby Dufrene, Danny Bergeron II, Michael Johnson, Johnny Marino, Charles Marino, Gerard Bourgeois, Barry Dufrene, and Kevin Marino.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 19, 2022 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Jay Baker celebrating Mass. A visitation was held from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the church and following Mass, Hope was laid to rest in the Morgan City Cemetery Mausoleum.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the Hope M. Johnson Memorial Fund at Community Foundation of Acadiana. Please make checks payable to Community Foundation of Acadiana (Memo: Hope M. Johnson Fund) and mail to P.O. Box 647, Berwick, LA 70342).