The Council in the State of Louisiana has formally rejected local tolls or new tax components for the Belle Chasse Bridge and Tunnel Replacement PPP Project.

The council has voted 7-1-1 favoring the resolution of opposing the state Department of Transportation & Development’s proposed public-private partnership (P3) with Plenary Infrastructure with one against and one abstention. 

Under the proposed P3 deal, Plenary Infrastructure, the project developer, would charge US$0.45 per trip initially, with US$0.01 added per year for up to 30 years. Prices would have been higher for non-residents and commercial trucks.

The project received the federal grant of USD 45 million with th assumption it will be implemented as a PPP. The contracting auhority will now see if the grant can still be awarded with the toll element rejected.