12/12/05-Gov. Kathleen Blanco has signed a bill into law to give the state’s highway department open-ended authority to use the so-called “design-build” concept for hurricane repair contracts.
The design-build contracting process allows contractors to submit plans to design and construct each highway project. Typically, one firm designs a highway and another builds it, with the two tasks bid separately.
The new law, previously HB132 requires the approval of the House and Senate transportation panels before the state’s highway department could undertake a design-build project.
Louisiana law previously required the state to solicit bids for the design of a road or bridge, wait for the bids to be awarded, then bid out the construction part of the project.

11/21/05-Senators meeting in special session voted 23-14 Friday, Nov. 18, to advance a bill to give the state’s highway department open-ended authority to use the so-called “design-build” concept for hurricane repair contracts.
The authority would be permanent.
The bill, which previously passed the House, now moves to Gov. Kathleen Blanco, who’s expected to sign it.
The design-build contracting process allows contractors to submit plans to design and construct each highway project. Typically, one firm designs a highway and another builds it.
HB132, sponsored by Rep. Roy Quezaire, D-Donaldsonville, would require the approval of the House and Senate transportation panels before the state’s highway department could undertake a design-build project.
Existing Louisiana law requires the state to solicit bids for the design of a road or bridge, wait for the bids to be awarded, then bid out the construction part of the project.
For bill status, call (504) 342-2456. In Louisiana, call 1-800-256-3793.

11/17/05-The Senate Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works has approved a bill to give the state’s highway department open-ended authority to use the so-called “design-build” concept for hurricane repair contracts.
The authority would be permanent unless lawmakers add a termination date to the bill.
The design-build contracting process allows contractors to submit plans to design and construct each highway project. Typically, one firm designs a highway and another builds it.
Sponsored by Rep. Roy Quezaire, D-Donaldsonville, the bill would require the approval of the state’s House and Senate transportation panels before the state’s highway department could undertake a design-build project.
Existing Louisiana law requires the state to solicit bids for the design of a road or bridge, wait for the bids to be awarded, then bid out the construction part of the project.
HB132, which previously passed the House, now heads to the full Senate for further consideration. If approved, it would move to Gov. Kathleen Blanco, who’s expected to sign it.
For bill status, call (504) 342-2456. In Louisiana, call 1-800-256-3793.

11/10/05-The House Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works voted 16-2 Tuesday, Nov. 8, to give the state’s highway department open-ended authority to use the so-called “design-build” concept for hurricane repair contracts.
The authority would be permanent unless lawmakers add a termination date to the bill.
The design-build contracting method allows contractors to submit plans to design and construct each highway project. Typically, one firm designs a highway and another builds it.
HB132, sponsored by Rep. Roy Quezaire, D-Donaldsonville, would give the House and Senate transportation panels authority to approve projects built by design-build.
Existing Louisiana law requires the state to solicit bids for the design of a road or bridge, wait for the bids to be awarded, then bid out the construction part of the project.
The bill now awaits approval before the full House. If approved, it would head to the Senate for further consideration.
For bill status, call (504) 342-2456. In Louisiana, call 1-800-256-3793.