State lawmakers hosted a town hall-style meeting Tuesday night in Marrero to
focus on issues facing lawmakers in the upcoming legislative session. While there were several topics on the agenda, concerns about the future of the
Crescent City Connection and the toll vote coming up on May 4 dominated the
meeting.
Transportation officials attended the meeting to answer questions from an overwhelming
anti-tolls crowd. Some wanted to know exactly how the toll
money has been spent. Others said the DOTD is responsible for maintaining the
CCC at an acceptable level.
If
the tolls don't pass on May 4, the DOTD will maintain the bridge at the same
level all other bridges in the state are maintained. That would mean no decorative lighting, no trash can service and reduced lawn
maintenance.
State
Rep. Chris Leopold told the crowd he plans to introduce two pieces of
legislation that could impact funding for CCC maintenance. One is an effort to
keep more local tax dollars in the local area instead of having the money end
up in
the State Transportation Trust Fund.
Pat
Hand, attorney for the group Stop the Tolls, questioned DOTD officials about
the decorative lights on the bridge over the Mississippi River. He asked about
a document in which he says the state committed to keeping the decorative
lights on after the Young Leadership Council paid to install them in the 80's.
DOTD officials say they have not been able to find such a document and, without
a dedicated revenue stream, they will not keep the lights.
While
there is no long-term solution on the horizon for enhanced CCC
maintenance, the decorative lights could be back on soon. The Young Leadership
Council has indicated that it has secured temporary funding. Now all that is
left is reaching a cooperative agreement on the issue.
Jefferson Parish Councilman Chris Roberts wants the
Regional Planning Commission to call a special meeting to approve the acceptance
of a donation from the YLC.
