SCR 58

SLS 26RS-2690  ORIGINAL
 2026 Regular Session
 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 58
 BY SENATOR CARTER
 ROADS/HIGHWAYS. Urge and request the Department of Transportation and
 Development to conduct a review of public-private partnership contracting practices.
1A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
2 To urge and request the Department of Transportation and Development to conduct a review
3of its public-private partnership contracting practices, comparing and contrasting the
4Belle Chasse Toll Bridge project in relation to active or future public-private
5partnership projects.
6WHEREAS, tolling on the Belle Chasse Bridge began in 2025, and toll-related
7 complaints were raised publicly by residents, motorists, businesses, and local officials; and
8WHEREAS, public reporting concerning the Belle Chasse Bridge toll system
9 included complaints regarding toll amounts, fees, and alleged unauthorized charges; and
10WHEREAS, testimony during numerous legislative hearings reflected concerns that
11 the toll structure and related charges were detrimental to the residents and businesses in
12 Plaquemines Parish; and
13WHEREAS, in October 2025, Governor Jeff Landry announced the suspension of
14 toll collections on the Belle Chasse Bridge; and
15WHEREAS, the legislature has authority to consider matters relating to the fiscal
16 impact, contractual obligations, and public accountability associated with transportation
17 infrastructure projects; and
18WHEREAS, the Belle Chasse Bridge public-private partnership was the first P3
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 SLS 26RS-2690  ORIGINAL
  SCR NO. 58
1 project between the state and private entities and established the possibility of long-term
2 contractual and financial obligations that may be detrimental to Louisiana residents; and
3WHEREAS, the Legislative Auditor conducted a performance audit of the Belle
4 Chasse Bridge and Tunnel Replacement Project in 2023 in which the audit recommended
5 DOTD develop formal policies and procedures for evaluating future P3 transportation
6 projects and DOTD agreed with the audit recommendations and stated it would develop
7 additional procedures and guidance for future P3 projects.
8THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
9 urge and request the Department of Transportation and Development to conduct a review
10 of it's public-private partnership contracting practices, comparing and contrasting the Belle
11 Chasse Toll Bridge project in relation to upcoming P3 projects.
12BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the department study and report differences,
13 improvements and "lessons learned" between the two P3 projects including procurement,
14 contract terms, financial assumptions (including tolling), project oversight, delays or cost
15 increases, best practices and community impact, and shall report their findings to the Senate
16 and House committees on transportation, highways and public works no later than February
17 1, 2027.
18BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
19 Secretary of the Department of Transportation and Development.
  The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
  of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Senate Legislative Services.
  The keyword, summary, and digest do not constitute part of the law or proof
  or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
  DIGEST
 SCR 58 Original  2026 Regular Session  Carter
 Requests the Department of Transportation and Development to conduct a review of it's
 public-private partnership contracting practices, comparing and contrasting the Belle Chasse
 Toll Bridge project in relation to active or future public private partnership projects.
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