Monday, February 27, 2012

Why are we the only Mississippi River Bridge that pays tolls?

“It’s not fair!  The DOTD finances all the other bridges, why not the Crescent City Connection?" 

You want fair?  In fact, when tolls cease, the DOTD has promised to treat us just like they do the other 13,204 bridges and 16,666 miles of roadway they service. No better and no worse. In a word: fair.

To ensure the entire state is treated fairly, the DOTD uses the Highway Priority Program. Simply put, it determines which projects they fund first based on critical need. Even before Gov. Jindal cut the budget by $900 million, there were over 7 years of projects on the Highway Priority Program awaiting funding.  

But we DO pay a toll. And for that $.40, CCC drivers get 13 things the rest of the state does not.

  1. A dedicated police force that removes debris and accidents and keeps traffic moving
  2. Iconic lighting that defines the New Orleans skyline
  3. More frequent trash pick-up and grass-cutting.
  4. Landscaping which the DOTD does not provide at all
  5. Maintenance as needed verses having to compete with the rest of the state via the Highway Priority Program
  6. Painting as needed verses having to compete with the rest of the state for dwindling DOTD dollars
  7. A dedicated yearly revenue stream of over $22 million 
  8. Bonding capabilities created by that revenue stream which enables us to obtain over $150M in one time funds to finish much needed capital projects
  9. Matching funding capabilities
  10. Ability to obtain federal grants.for which we would be refused if we opted to discontinue tolling ourselves 
  11. The ability to finance the projects WE choose, including those not designated as state roads, which are the only projects the DOTD funds 
  12.  A ferry service that not only keeps 2.9M annual ferryboat users off the bridge but creates a greener and healthier option for commuters and tourists alike
  13. The ability to keep our area’s own vehicle registration revenue (approximately $5M annually) rather than having to share it with the rest of the state  
Do we really want "fair?"
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1 comment:

  1. MuFebruary 29, 2012 at 11:01 AM

    "Fair" is in the eyes of the beholder. In this life you do not get something for nothing. I gladly pay my 40 cents daily to insure better service. Thanks for all the hard work for us. It is loyal and committed citizens that make a difference - especially if our elected officials do not adequately represent our views.

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