Louisiana Lawmakers Address Toll Issues on Belle Chasse Bridge

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The Belle Chasse Bridge, an important infrastructure component in Plaquemines Parish.

News Summary

Louisiana lawmakers have approved a resolution to investigate the tolling process on the Belle Chasse Bridge, addressing resident frustrations related to accessibility and fees. The resolution urges a compatibility analysis of Geaux Pass tags with those from other states and requires a revenue report from the tolls. The situation has been worsened by processing fees and delays in rollout, with residents paying reduced rates but expressing discontent over additional charges. Ongoing discussions aim to find resolutions for these challenges impacting the local community.

Belle Chasse, Louisiana – Louisiana lawmakers have approved a resolution aimed at addressing ongoing issues with tolls on the Belle Chasse Bridge. This resolution requests that the Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) conduct an analysis of the current tolling process, specifically investigating whether Geaux Pass toll tags can be compatible with those from other states. The resolution comes in light of rising frustrations from residents regarding the toll structure and accessibility.

State Representative Jacob Braud pointed out that Plenary, the private company responsible for funding the bridge, is facing significant daily penalties due to delays in the tolling process. Estimates suggest that these fines could accumulate to as much as $5 million by January if resolutions are not reached promptly. The resolution also seeks a report detailing the monthly and yearly revenue generated from the tolls, providing further transparency to affected residents.

Residents have been vocal about their dissatisfaction with the current tolling system. The Geaux Pass local office, where users can manage their tolling account, is located in Golden Meadow, nearly a two-hour drive from Belle Chasse, creating accessibility challenges. Additionally, a series of processing fees imposed on users has added to the frustration. For instance, a 3% processing fee is charged for credit card transactions at the tolls, and users also face a $2.64 additional charge for mailed bills.

The rollout of the Geaux Pass has been marred by delays, reportedly postponed at least 12 times since its inception. According to Braud, these issues have substantial implications for local residents; they lose approximately 16 trips annually for every $100 spent on tolls due to the way charges are structured.

Currently, residents of Plaquemines Parish pay a reduced toll rate of 25 cents per trip when using GeauxPass, while non-residents are charged up to $2.26 per crossing. However, a new 4% convenience fee applied to each toll transaction has ignited further discontent among locals, who feel that these additional costs are unjust and burdensome.

Brought to light by local officials, the complaint of “nickel-and-diming” by Plenary has gained attention. In defense, a spokesperson for Plenary clarified that the processing fees incurred are imposed by credit card companies and do not constitute profit for the company itself.

The Senate Transportation Committee is set to discuss issues related to convenience fees at an upcoming meeting, indicating that state officials are ready to examine the complaints and seek solutions. The Belle Chasse Bridge itself, a key infrastructure component, is part of a $170 million project that officially opened to traffic on March 17, 2025, although the implementation of tolls was delayed for several months.

Plenary is expected to administer toll revenue according to a 30-year contract, with estimated projections indicating that this could yield between $630 million and $726 million in revenue over the contract’s duration. Construction delays leading to the current situation were primarily attributed to adverse weather conditions and requirements mandated by the DOTD before the tolling could begin.

Residents continue to express discontent with the current tolling arrangements, questioning the rationale behind having to pay tolls for access to their own parish. As discussions continue among state officials and local representatives, it remains to be seen how these issues will be resolved and what impact they may have on the day-to-day lives of Belle Chasse residents.