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After fits and starts to get a toll collection system in place that will collect from the bulk of motorists crossing the Leeville overpass, Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development officials believe they are on the path to solving the myriad of issues that have plagued the collection system since its inception.
In comments to members of the Greater Lafourche Port Commission on Wednesday, DOTD executive Rhett Desselle outlined the steps being taken to finally (and hopefully) solve the issues plaguing proper and accurate toll collections in Leeville.
He noted that two new automatic toll collection machines would be in place by the middle of January to replace the one wiped out by an 18 wheeler in August.
A canopy will be placed over both machine to protect them and commuters from inclement weather. Desselle acknowledged that while toll collections had been poor in the past, revenue collection was now up to 98 percent of vehicles crossing the span and that better ability was now in place, and being put in place, to more accurately track toll violators.
“The bulk of the violations are vehicles with Texas and Mississippi license plates and we now have the ability to track the plates and are actively pursuing violators,” he said.
The overpass has been averaging approximately 400 violators per week and according to the state, the registered owner of the vehicle in violation is deemed responsible for any fines brought about by not paying a toll.
Toll violators have an initial 72 hours after passage to pay the toll without incurring a fine. If a toll is not paid within that 72 hour time frame, a $25 is imposed and a first notice is sent to the registered owner of the vehicle.
If the toll and fee are not paid after 30 days, a scale of fine is additionally imposed until after a fourth notice is sent, the license and registration of the registered owner of the toll violation vehicle in question is flagged and no renewal of driving documents can be obtained until all fines and past tolls are paid. He also noted that should an individual decide to appeal the toll fine, a hearing officer has the ability to dismiss the fine in question or place the violator on a payment plan.
Desselle acknowledged the issues that have been occurring with violation notices being sent incorrectly to people who have properly paid tolls as well as inconsistent billing procedures regarding the replenishing of “Geaux Pass” accounts. “We expect to soon have the technology where pass holders and consumers will be able to be notified 30 to 60 days in advance of a low balance in their toll accounts or that their credit card used to be charged for the tolls will be soon expiring,” he said. “We know there are still issues to be worked out, but it’s a work in progress.”
A toll kiosk is shown on the La. 1 toll bridge. Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development officials believe they are on the path to solving the myriad of issues that have plagued the collection system since its inception.
