Jindal backs $100M LSU engineering complex

Gov. Bobby Jindal says he supports the state paying for half of a new $100 million engineering education complex at LSU's flagship campus in Baton Rouge.

Jindal announced Tuesday that he'll include the $50 million proposal in the state's annual construction budget, when he proposes it to lawmakers next year. The other half of the funding is expected to come from private donations, about $8 million of which has been raised so far.

The project involves improvements to an existing building, along with the construction of a new annex dedicated to chemical engineering.

Under the plans, construction would begin in fall 2014, estimated for completion two years later.

When the complex is complete, the LSU College of Engineering will double its academic footprint on campus, according to the governor's office.