Just days before the Nov. 6 referendum on whether to extend the Crescent City Connection tolls, law enforcement officials from around the metro area will announce their support for keeping the tolls in place during a news conference this morning. It will be the third event sponsored by Bridging Progress, a political action committee of regional business groups that has raised $200,000 to campaign for extending the tolls beyond their Dec. 31 expiration date.
Sheriffs and police chiefs are expected to argue the tolls, which bring in $21 million annually, will pay for a dedicated police force essential to maintaining safety, controlling traffic and assisting with crime fighting. State transportation officials have said that more than 155,000 vehicles cross the Mississippi River bridge daily, making it the nation's fifth busiest.
The cost to cross the bridge east bank-bound is 40 cents for a toll tag and $1 cash.
Voters in Orleans, Jefferson and Plaquemines parishes will cast ballots on the issue, which if approved would continue the tolls for 20 years.
Expected to attend this morning's news conference are Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand, Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman, Plaquemines Parish Sheriff Lonnie Greco, Kenner Police Chief Steve Caraway, Gretna Police Chief Arthur Lawson, Harahan Police Chief Mac Dickinson and Lafitte Police Chief Marcell Rodriguez.
On Thursday, New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu said?the region would be hampered in its effort to compete nationally if the tolls were defeated, ending a dedicated source of funding to pay for infrastructure improvements.
"We need a bridge that is structurally sound ... We need a funding source ... that is what the tolls, provide,'' Landrieu said.
Toll opponent Gibby Andry of Belle Chasse disagreed that a rejection of extending tolls would have an economic impact on New Orleans. Andry said Baton Rouge is a greater generator of revenue economically for the state than New Orleans and Baton Rouge, whose population surpassed?New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, has more people crossing its own?Mississippi River bridge.
"They (Baton Rouge) have more people. They have more industry. They have as many Fortune 400 companies as we do. They have just as many universities as we do. All of that is done and happens without a toll on the Mississippi River Bridge,'' Andry said. "A toll on the bridge has nothing to do with economic development, especially if a bridge is paid for.''
Today's news conference will be held at the Port of New Orleans at 10:30 a.m.
Source: http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2012/11/crescent_city_connection_toll_10.html
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