The Transportation Infrastructure Model for Economic Development (TIMED) Program, the largest transportation program in Louisiana's history, began in 1989.
The ongoing program designated 16 specific transportation projects, including widening more than 535 miles of state highways to four lanes on 11 corridors, improvements and/or new construction of major bridges and funding improvements to both the Port of New Orleans and Louis Armstrong International Airport.
While the original timeline for completion of the program was 2005, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LA DOTD) had to drastically revise the program because of inadequate progress. In 2002, LA DOTD took two major steps to accelerate the $4.6 billion program. It hired a private management joint venture, led by WSP USA, and changed the program’s financing strategy to a bond-financed program.
Both measures shaved 18 years off the anticipated schedule. Working in partnership with the agency, WSP’s financial planning, public outreach, design management and construction engineering services have kept the award-winning program on track and successfully managed the massive disruptions caused by Hurricane Katrina.
The program is credited with keeping thousands of Louisianans employed during the recession, enhancing motorist safety and evacuation routes, improving freight transportation and linking small communities throughout the state.
