When Belle Chase had moved from Mariero after dealing with B&B seven years ago, it seemed that this was a great business move. The new store on LA 23 had a sharp stop on the way to reducing the water of Plakimines Parish and its world -renowned fishing water.
Subsequently, a new ballet chase bridge was constructed at the Gulf Intercompostal Aquatic Gate. In April 2021, the Million 170 million project began, and in the years after that, intermittent road closures caused traffic dreams. Due to the crushing of workers, the crowd was further damaged so that the Global Plakimines in Port Sulfur tried to go to the LNG plant.
“It made it difficult for anyone to come in the schedule and get the goods in the schedule,” said Austin Plissance, 33, the owner of the B&B trick. “There are days where we hardly found a customer.”
On Monday, after a delay of 11 months, the ballet chase bridge eventually opened, which causes traffic to flow more easily. But the business owners of Belle Chase have not yet breathed.
Drivers will have to play a tool to cross the bridge soon, and business owners are worried about what it means for its users.
“I’m just nervous that I’m not going to get people on this side of the bridge who want to buy with me because of the tool.”
Motorcycles crossed the Belle Chase Bridge, which was fully opened for traffic after 11 months on Monday, March 17, 2025, on Monday 17th March, 2025. (Staff Photos of David Grunfeld, Times-Pukyn)
The bridge was actually opened last April, but its developers, after the full infrastructure ballet squeeze, was delayed that the more expected decline was causing the structure to sink and that the slab, which provides smooth transfer from the road to the bridge.
Plen is fined 10,000-firing days as a result of not opening the bridge for timely traffic. It is expected that these penalties will reach 3.5 million by the end of March, the Department of Transport and Development Secretary Joe Donao told lawmakers in December.
The first public private partnership
The four -lane bridge replaced the vertical elevator bridge built in 1967 and a tunnel opened in 1955. Before the new bridge was built, the drivers used two south -bound lanes and two northwest lanes on the old bridge through the tunnel.
The new bridge is Louisiana’s first public private partnership for a large infrastructure project, and is supported in about $ 100 million federal funds, most of which covers the rest.
When the project was approved by the state legislature in 2019, supporters argued that the rejection of the proposal would eliminate the possibility of a public private partnership in Louisiana, including a new bridge over the Mississippi River in Botan Rogue.
Motorcycles crossed the Belle Chase Bridge, which was fully opened for traffic after 11 months on Monday, March 17, 2025, on Monday 17th March, 2025. (Staff Photos of David Grunfeld, Times-Pukyn)
Nevertheless, the project faced pushbacks from residents and business owners at Plakimans Parish for a tool.
“This is exactly hurting the business. Why would you play your tools to clean your teeth, cut your hair, buy, eat, eat anything when you can do this at Green,” Lieutenant Government Billy Ningesar, the former president of the former Plakiman Parish said last week.
Adams Ketfish House owner Dale Adams said his business is about 70 70 % lower thanks to a traffic crowd. He said he saved the money to help cushion during the construction, but did not assess the delay of 11 months.
Adams suggested that the mini -DOTD is imposing a fine for delay, it will be sent back to help businesses and residents in Belle Chase. “You are punishing them, but we are the ones who are taking the result,” he said.
The Joint Legislative Committee on Transport will be finalized about how the state representatives are spent under a new law organized by Jacob Brood, R Bell Chase.
For now, Placement plans to keep it on where he is, and is crossing his fingers that his business does not hit anymore.
“If it goes down, it is going to drag me with me,” he said.
Toll prices
According to a full estimate of Louisiana’s legislative auditor’s 2023 audit, during the 30 -year deal, the plane can raise about $ 630 million worth of toll revenue, or $ 726 million at a low end.
Project spokesman Abe Jin said the tools are not yet being charged, but it will probably start after the completion of the DOTD inspection in the next or two weeks.
Motorcycles crossed the Belle Chase Bridge, which was fully opened for traffic after 11 months on Monday, March 17, 2025, on Monday 17th March, 2025. (Staff Photos of David Grunfeld, Times-Pukyn)
Most vehicles cost 25 cents for Plakimian residents, 1 1.13 for non -residents with Geox Pass and 26 2.26 for each of the Gaux Pass. The cost is high Trailers and big trucks and van pulls. Plannery can increase most tools every year based on consumer prices index, though tools for plaque residents can increase by one percent in just one year.
The DOTD wrote in a press release, “The electronic tooling system will submit tools in every direction that does not need to stop the vehicles.” “Residents and travelers are encouraged to get geox pass, which offers low rates of tools and ease of payment.”
Town Halls
There are three open houses to help residents sign up in the coming week in the coming week in Belle Chase Auditorium, 8398 La 23, Belle Chase, LA 70037:
- March 24: 12 pm to 6 pm
- March 26: 9 am to 3 pm
- March 27: 9 am to 3 pm
