Troubled waters over new bridge

A ribbon-cutting ceremony takes place today for the long-awaited opening of the new Leeville Bridge on Louisiana 1.

But there's some controversy concerning the toll road.

Jefferson Parish councilman Chris Roberts says it's another blow to Grand Isle folks still recovering from the last two hurricane seasons. "This is just an added burden that's going to be on the back off the residents that live there," says Roberts. And, he says the project offers no added protection from high tide events.


Listen to Don Ames' conversation with Chris Roberts:

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But Henri Boulet, Executive Director of the Louisiana Highway 1 Coalition, says Grand Isle residents will receive a discount on the toll and pay just 50 cents. Plus..."This will ensure them access to their homes and weekend camps," says Boulet. "And it's just the beginning of a $1.5 billion effort to secure access to the coast."

Listen to Henri Boulet:

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Roberts says it only secures access to Port Fouchon. "This does not provide any benefit to the residents of Grand Isle because, in the event we have high tide, this is going to block access."

Roberts also dislikes the automated toll system. The $166 million bridge will not have a tollbooth where motorists will pay cash. Instead, bridge users must set up a toll-tag account or get a one-time pass at one of five kiosks along the highway.

"It's going to create mass confusion and I think it'll run contrary to our attempts to try and regenerate interest in tourism in Grand Isle," says Roberts. "If I take a six-hour drive to go fishing in Grand Isle and get a nice letter two weeks later with a hefty fine saying I failed to pay a toll on a bridge with no tollbooth, it's going to cause some confusion and anger."

Boulet disagrees. "Tourists pay tolls all along the East Coast. They pay tolls in Texas to our west and Florida to our east."

Roberts plans to introduce a resolution at the next Parish council meeting asking the state to exclude Grand Isle residents and property owners from having to pay the toll.

The tolls will range from $1.50 for commuters who use the bridge at least 20 times in 60 days, to $2.50 for motorcycles and two-axle, four-tire vehicles, and up to $12 for trucks. Toll collections will be used to pay off the revenue bonds sold to raise money to build the new bridge and associated roadways.