Senator says one painting cycle could have averted $1.2 million bridge repair; Senate approves maintenance records bill

Senate Bill 122, a measure requiring systematic maintenance records for bridges, passed the Louisiana Senate on March 26 with wide support.

Sponsor Senator Faizy told the chamber his district suffered multiple bridge failures last year and cited one Bayou Du Large bridge that “has been there for over 40 years with no maintenance.” He said small annual upkeep — “about $1,000 worth of paint each year” — could have avoided what he described as roughly a $1,200,000 repair. "So, basically, all I'm doing is this bill ... we're gonna create maintenance on bridges that we can have records to go back and look on and make sure we keep our bridges in shape," he said.

Why it matters: The bill seeks to create a consistent maintenance record so departments and local officials can track preventive care and identify neglected structures. The sponsor framed the measure as a cost‑avoidance effort after local failures required major repairs.

Floor action and next steps: Senators recorded final passage on the floor; the clerk announced the vote as 35 yeas and 0 nays. The bill assigns implementation responsibilities to the Department of Transportation and Development for establishing record formats and retention requirements; departmental guidance and reporting timelines were discussed as follow‑up tasks on the floor.

What was not said: The bill text and any funding mechanism for retroactive repairs were not recited during floor remarks; the sponsor used an illustrative repair‑cost figure as an argument for recordkeeping rather than detailing a funding plan.

Procedural note: Following final passage on the floor the bill will be enrolled and transmitted according to Senate rules for any subsequent action or implementation instructions.