Senate Transportation Committee talks Belle Chasse Bridge toll operations

BATON ROUGE, La. (WGNO) — Since its opening, the Belle Chasse Bridge has been a constant problem for Plaquemines Parish residents.

“The state was supposed to negotiate the best possible deal, and they have saddled this small community with this billion-dollar bill basically,” said Ben & Ben’s Farm Fresh Produce co-owner Ben Becnel.

During a Senate Transportation Committee meeting, State Senator Patrick Connick says those crossing the bridge have been billed more than $5 million and taxed over $6 million in fees in just the last four months.

It’s a problem that Plaquemines Parish business owners say is causing them to suffer.

“Would you come shop at my store if it would cost you $56.67 per trip? My business is down almost 40% in-store,” said HAUS 131 owner Katie Vujnovich.

“If you give this toll enough time, you won’t have any businesses in Plaquemines Parish, ” said Salvo’s Seafood owner Sal St. Philip.

Kristy Canova claims that after being approved for the pass, she discovered she was billed thousands of dollars due to what she says is a glitch in the system.

“Saying congratulations on your Gueaxpass account, your transponders, transponder numbers, and pictures of the signals on the cars. Now I have seven pages of a $6,000 bill, which is now over 6,000. They told me basically too bad, we can’t help you,” said Kristy Canova.

The company Plenary Americas plans to look over all the complaints, but Connick says that won’t be enough.

“See which ones of these are the product of a failure of our systems, or our people, or our processes. Really, to get these problems resolved to your satisfaction and to the public satisfaction as well, ” said Executive Chairman of Plenary Americas Dale Bonner.

“Why wasn’t it done earlier? Why do we have to have it here in Baton Rouge to have all these issues brought out?” said Senator Connick.

Senators also questioned the possibility of a contract buyout.

“The state always has an option. There’s a process and a procedure, and it’s built into the contract if the state were to do that option,” said Bonner.

Nevertheless, Connick and others say something has to change immediately.

“Please work with DOTD and the governor, and we’ve got to find a solution because, as it stands right now, it’s not happening. I mean, we can’t let these businesses fail, and we will not let them fail,” said Senator Connick.

Geauxpass employees will be back in Plaquemines Parish soon and will remain there for three months to assist anyone in need of help.

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