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The YLC offered to cover the Department of Transportation and Development's costs for keeping the lights on through the May 4 bridge tolls referendum. However, Representative Austin Badon told WWL-TV that the DoTD cannot enter into an agreement with a private group. Instead, the YLC would have to enter into an agreement with either the Regional Planning Commission or city of New Orleans. One of those two entities would then have to make the request of the DoTD.
The YLC privately raised the money to install the lights in the late 1980s. Since the tolls are suspended pending the May 4 vote, highway officials announced they could not afford the $60,000 a year it costs to power and maintain the lights. The YLC claims their agreement with the state then obligates the state to maintain the lights, but the DoTD says that agreement was made with the Mississippi River Commission, which no longer exists.
