La. Roads, Bridges and Ferries § 48:260
The scope and extent of maintenance operations may include any operation involving employment of labor, purchase of materials, supplies, and equipment, and the severance, processing, and application of materials necessary to maintain the highway system together with the other facilities of the Department of Transportation and Development at the maximum level of efficiency for its type. In case of damage to the state highway system caused by flood or other disaster, requiring immediate attention, or for construction urgently needed, or for construction that may be undertaken more efficiently, the secretary may execute such work of improvement with department maintenance forces, with the approval of the chief engineer or the assistant secretary of operations.
La. Roads, Bridges and Ferries § 48:260