BATON ROUGE, La. — Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards announced Wednesday that DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson will retire from state service on March 4.
Wilson has severed that post for more than seven years. Edwards described Wilson as "the most effective DOTD secretary in state history."
"Shawn has tackled important infrastructure projects that were previously only talked and dreamed about for decades," Edwards said. "From the biggest, most high-profile projects along major interstates to less glamorous but equally important rural infrastructure, he has worked tirelessly to unleash our economic potential and improve quality of life for everyone in our state by making major improvements to our roads, bridges, ports, rail system, flood control, and more."
Edwards praised Wilson's work on the planned Calcasieu River Bridge replacement, widening of I-10, the elevation of LA-1, dredging of the Mississippi River and diversion of the Comite River.
Wilson was elected as the first African American president of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials in 2020-2021.
The Times-Picayune | New Orleans Advocate reports that Wilson's resignation could be a sign that he intends to enter the race for Louisiana's Governor's office. Wilson would become the first high-profile Democrat to enter the race to succeed Edwards.
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