The Times-Picayune (New Orleans) – Gov. Bobby Jindal said Tuesday he is recommending that legislators approve almost $246 million of last year’s state surplus for highway and bridge construction and repairs when the lawmaking session opens April 27.

Jindal said the $245.85 million of the surplus can leverage another $252 million in federal money that can be used on big-ticket items such as construction of segments of Interstate 49 in north and south Louisiana, and local roads in rural and urban areas. [read more…]