re: New I-10 Lake Charles Bridge Expected to Open to Traffic in February 2030

I need a set of those pistols.

quote:

---

That video was so realistic, all those slow arse drivers in the left lane…

---

I didnt see any semis struggling to get over the hump at 25 mph though

quote:

---

Do you dispute that DOTD is a bloated, inefficient bureaucracy with a horrible track record on maintenance and construction?

---

I don’t have much frame of reference regarding their bloat. But let’s compare them to TXDOT. TXDOT manages ~73,000 miles of roadway with ~12,000 employees (~6.08 miles per employee). LA DOTD manages ~17,000 miles of roadway with ~4,000 employees (~4.25 miles per employee). So sure, at first glance LA DOTD has more employees per mile of roadway.

As for their track record, they certainly have their problems. A big one I’ve noticed talking to people in that industry is the way the state handles contracts. Fly-by-night contractor underbids a job. DOTD accepts low bid. Fly-by-night contractor takes shortcuts and fricks the job up (either on schedule, quality, or both). Then instead of DOTD hanging them with liquidated damages, someone at the top decides to compromise and let the contractor off the hook. This perpetuates a system where the worst contractors get too many jobs. I certainly don’t think DOTD is some world class example of exemplary highway management.

But here’s the thing.. cutting some headcount and hiring better contractors isn’t gonna make up for losing 60+% of your highway funding to inflation. Every year that goes by without making a change means the funding gets smaller. At 3% inflation (we should be so lucky), the effective gas tax will be reduced further by 25% in the next 10 years. And again, that’s without accounting for any increases in fuel economy or EV adoption. At some point it’s simple math.. less work will get done every year unless alternative funding sources (primarily tolls and federal grants) are used. Burying our heads in the sand will not make the math any less obvious, or any less damaging.

quote:

---

This a state issue. You’re required to accept the lowest bidder.

---

That part isn’t the issue though. The issue is accepting the low bid without aggressively pursuing LD’s the moment that low bidder starts to cut corners or miss schedule.

This is just my perception from the outside looking in, after hearing some pretty messed up stories from some friends in that business.. so take it with a grain of salt, certainly. But my perception is that certain shitty contractors get protected (for reasons open to speculation) which then enables them to continue those shitty practices.

So you’re saying I have to go steal some of those pistols beforehand

quote:

---

Tolls should be for commercial and out of state drivers, not LA residents. We pay enough taxes with little to show for it.

---

That’s hilarious! You’ve got no idea what high taxes are

Make that 2032-33 o hen does a fed givt project every get done on time that will be a multiple billion dollar over run.
Look at the I10bridge in Mobile price already gone up $750M before it even starts all of hogs at the trough of the govt $$$!

Traffic cones and a sawzall Baw