In the bank: The U.S. Department of Transportation approved Louisiana’s application for a $45 million Infrastructure for Rebuilding America grant to build a fixed, four-lane bridge to replace the tunnel and movable bridge on La. 23 in Belle Chasse. Additional funding for the new bridge, a primary access point for residents of Plaquemines Parish, will come from $26.2 million in federal funds allocated to the Louisiana DOTD and $12 million in federal funds allocated to the Regional Planning Commission. The original bridge and tunnel are both more than 50 years old and have an average daily traffic count of approximately 33,000 vehicles. See the Governor’s announcement.
Done deal: Murphy Oil USA bought a 1.6 acre lot at the corner of Jefferson Highway and Stumberg Lane for $1.4 million from Crossing at Stumberg LLC, according to sales documents. Murphy Oil owns and operates several gas stations around Baton Rouge and just opened a new store at the intersection of Burbank Drive and Ben Hur Road.
Going back in time: The Jung Hotel in New Orleans recently announced it will pay former guests for any souvenirs they took from 1907 to 1971. The hotel says it will pay $8 for flatware with the old Jung Hotel logo, $4 for ashtrays, and $3 for paper items. Prices will be negotiated for pens, clocks or other items. The hotel changed names after a sale 1971, closed after Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and is now back to its original name after another sale and a $140 million renovation. Hotel administrators are hoping to create a time capsule of the business’s memorabilia. See the full list of items the hotel wants back.
