2003 Statewide Transportation Plan

2003 Statewide Transportation Plan

Louisiana's Department of Transportation and Development began an effort in mid-2000 to update the state's transportation plan. Louisiana is a model for how each transportation mode plays a vital role in moving both passengers and freight and DOTD hoped to build upon recent studies that articulated this point.

Louisiana's ports, some of the largest in the country, are critical for the movement of raw materials and finished products in support of the agricultural, mining and industrial base of the state and other areas of the United States particularly the Midwest. The state's aviation sector provides vital air service for business travel and tourism and for the movement of time-sensitive, high value cargo. Public transportation in Louisiana is imperative in workforce development and the state faces an increasing segment of the population that is becoming transit-dependent. Furthermore, DOTD has recognized the importance of providing choices in transportation modes. The state's railroads are key players in moving freight and, to some extent, passengers. The interaction between modes is critical to the efficiencies needed to move the state's economy forward. The highway mode continues to be the cornerstone mode with which all others modes interact. In addition to providing door-to-door service, trucking provides connectivity with ports, rail and aviation. The highway system directly impacts the entire population due to its implications for personal mobility, the standard of living and economic security. Highways are crucial to both tourism and to commerce and their condition directly impacts the economy.

Finally, Louisiana needs to foster growth in the economy and in population. A safe, efficient and well-maintained transportation system can be a catalyst for economic growth while a poor system can be an impediment.