COVINGTON, LA (AP) — The St. Tammany Parish Council has approved a Lake Pontchartrain Causeway bond issue that would pay for $103 million in safety improvements and require a toll increase to pay off the debt.
The funding would allow the Causeway to beef-up railings on the southbound span and add sections of shoulder on both bridges.
NOLA.com/The Times-Picayune’s Robert Rhoden reports prior to Thursday's 9-4 vote, council members heard from 15 citizens who argued that the spending of such a large amount was unwarranted and that citizens should be allowed to vote on the issue.
Under the plan, the $2 round-trip cost for current toll-tag customers would rise to $3. Cash customers would see their $3 round-trip cost rise to $5. The Causeway Commission has voted to make the toll increase effective May 1.
