SR 173

2026 Regular Session  ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 173
BY SENATOR CARTER
  A RESOLUTION
To urge and request the Department of Transportation and Development to conduct a review
       of its public-private partnership contracting practices, comparing and contrasting the
       Belle Chasse Toll Bridge project in relation to active or future public-private
       partnership projects.
       WHEREAS, tolling on the Belle Chasse Bridge began in 2025, and toll-related
complaints were raised publicly by residents, motorists, businesses, and local officials; and
       WHEREAS, public reporting concerning the Belle Chasse Bridge toll system
included complaints regarding toll amounts, fees, and alleged unauthorized charges; and
       WHEREAS, testimony during numerous legislative hearings reflected concerns that
the toll structure and related charges were detrimental to the residents and businesses in
Plaquemines Parish; and
       WHEREAS, in October 2025, Governor Jeff Landry announced the suspension of
toll collections on the Belle Chasse Bridge; and
       WHEREAS, the legislature has authority to consider matters relating to the fiscal
impact, contractual obligations, and public accountability associated with transportation
infrastructure projects; and
       WHEREAS, the Belle Chasse Bridge public-private partnership was the first P3
project between the state and private entities and established the possibility of long-term
contractual and financial obligations that may be detrimental to Louisiana residents; and
       WHEREAS, the legislative auditor conducted a performance audit of the Belle
Chasse Bridge and Tunnel Replacement Project in 2023 in which the audit recommended
DOTD develop formal policies and procedures for evaluating future P3 transportation
projects and DOTD agreed with the audit recommendations and stated it would develop
additional procedures and guidance for future P3 projects.
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SR NO. 173  ENROLLED
       THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby urge and request 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 upcoming P3 projects.
       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the department study and report differences,
improvements and "lessons learned" between the two P3 projects including procurement,
contract terms, financial assumptions including tolling, project oversight, delays or cost
increases, best practices and community impact, and shall report their findings to the Senate
and House committees on transportation, highways and public works and to the David R.
Poynter Legislative Research Library as required by R.S. 24:771 and 772, no later than
February 1, 2027.
       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
secretary of the Department of Transportation and Development.
  PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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