La. Stat. tit. 48 § 441 : REVISED STATUTES — ROADS, BRIDGES AND FERRIES — DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND DEVELOPMENT — EXPROPRIATION BY A DECLARATION OF TAKING — Authority to expropriate and acquisition of property prior to judgment
A. Where the Department of Transportation and Development cannot amicably acquire property needed for highway purposes, the department may acquire the same by expropriation.
B. In any suit for the expropriation of property, including both corporeal property and servitudes, the department may acquire the property prior to judgment in the trial court in the manner provided in this Part.