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The new in-line payment machine at the La. Highway 1 toll road in Leeville, which opened last Wednesday, is causing heavy delays in southbound traffic.
“In response to motorist delays during peak hours, from 2 to 4 p.m., Department of Transportation and Development modified the lane configurations [Thursday and Friday],” said Rhett Desselle, DOTD assistant secretary of operations, in a printed statement.
Desselle said staff was on-site Friday to “help drivers navigate through the toll lanes in order to direct them to the appropriate lane. It’s a process and we will continue to make adjustments as needed.”
DOTD is currently monitoring the flow of traffic and has been re-striping in the area to help with the flow of traffic. Those who want to avoid the delays may open a GeauxPass account at www.geauxpass.com.
“The assistant secretary of the DOTD was here today to look at the flow of traffic and how it is performing with Thursday’s lane enhancements,” said LA 1 Coalition Executive Director Henri Boulet. “I’ve been down there several times since traffic started backing up on Wednesday, and we are not seeing near the degree of back up that we were on that first day. I am encouraged with the amount of staff DOTD has sent here to remedy the issue.”
According to Boulet, an “extremely unique cash culture” in south Lafourche is the source of the slow downs.
“Most people are paying in cash, which averages anywhere from 40 seconds to one minute per transaction versus an average of 25 to 30 seconds for a credit card transaction,” Boulet said. “They are extending the lane for the machine, and I think that that the problem will work itself out with the addition. Most people who are passing through the machine lane for the second time are also getting their money ready before pulling up to the machine.”
Boulet believes that with time, more people will also obtain Geaux Passes in order to avoid delays.
With the installation of the in-line payment machine, travelers along the La. Highway 1 toll road in Leeville will no longer have to stop at pre-pay and post-pay kiosks to pay the toll.
“This feature is going to greatly enhance motorists’ convenience on the La. Highway 1 Bridge,” Desselle said. “We really wanted to offer an in-lane, one-stop-shop that is better, safer and faster, and I think we accomplished our goal.”
Since the bridge opened in December 2011, drivers have had the options of pre- or post-paying at several kiosks in lower Lafourche or paying online within 96 hours of passing through the toll gantry.
Kiosks will be removed, but any kiosk transaction made before last Wednesday will be valid for 90 days, or until Sept. 20.
Lafourche Parish Councilman Daniel Lorraine, Dist. 9, was not happy to see the swift removal of the kiosks, especially after the traffic tie-ups began.
“I asked DOTD to keep the kiosks for this reason,” he said. “What are they going to do with that $8 million building in Golden Meadow? Adding more room in the machine’s lane will help, but I don’t think it will solve the problem. I told DOTD this would happen, and business owners in Port Fourchon and Grand Isle told them it would happen, too. I’ll be bringing it up at the next council meeting.”
The cost for 2-axle vehicles like motorcycles, cars, pick-up trucks and motor homes is $2.50.
Six-tire dually pickup trucks, 2-axle/4-tire vehicles or 2-axle/6-tire trucks with a 1-axle trailer, or boat trailer, cost $3.75.
Five dollars will cover the toll for 3-axle trucks and buses, and pick-up trucks, cars or dually pick-ups pulling a camper. Four-axle trucks are $7.50, 5-axle trucks are $10, and 6-axle trucks are $12, and these multi-axle vehicles are mainly multi-axle 18-wheelers hauling multi-axle trailers.
Those who fail to pay the toll, underpay the toll or misclassify his or her vehicle will be fined and have to pay any additional applicable service fee(s).
Those who have GeauxPasses may keep paying tolls online or at the Golden Meadow Customer Service Center. Bridge users are no longer able to purchase single-trip passes online.
When drivers pull up to the gantry in the right lane of La. Highway 1, they can pay the toll at one of two heights using the in-line payment machine that services vehicles from subcompact cars to semi-trucks. A canopy will also shield toll payers from inclement weather as they pay the fee.
To pay the toll, drivers will first pick their class of vehicle on the payment machine, then pick a payment method and pay the toll. If drivers would like a receipt, they will also have a print option. A lighted signal will let drivers know if a valid compensation was received.
GeauxPass customers may use the left or right lane to pass through the toll gantry, but the left lane will stay a dedicated GeauxPass lane, where tag holders will be able to drive through without stopping.
The new in-line payment machine at the La. Highway 1 toll gantry at Leeville eliminates the need for motorists to stop at pre- and post-pay kiosks before traveling to Port Fourchon and Grand Isle.
