Highway Dept. Taps Ads as Source for New Revenue

Motorists soon may see an explosion of advertisements plastered on state roads, bridges and rest areas in Louisiana's latest bid to raise cash during lean times.

Rhett Desselle, assistant secretary for the state Department of Transportation and Development, tells The Advocate funding for transportation has stagnated over the last several years.

DOTD officials are seeking proposals from consultants who would oversee a campaign to open sponsorships to ferries, ferry terminals, toll plazas, rest areas, highway signs, traffic camera feeds, unique roads and bridges, scenic areas, buildings and even vests worn by state transportation workers.

The state already faces a $12 billion backlog of road and bridge needs.

However, any money raised through advertisements would be used to defray agency operation expenses, not trim the state's staggering backlog.