Problems found with toll collection on LA 1 toll bridge - WLOX.com - The News for South Mississippi

Problems found with toll collection on LA 1 toll bridge

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By Greg Meriwether - bio | email
GRAND ISLE, LA (WAFB) -

A state audit found several problems with the collection of tolls on the LA 1 toll bridge in Leeville near Grand Isle.

The bridge isn't manned and people are expected to stop and purchase a pass before crossing the bridge.

The audit revealed that Louisiana Transportation Authority officials hadn't gone after some 300,000 potential cases where drivers crossed the bridge without paying.

Critics say this is the state losing out on millions which would normally be used to pay for the bridge.

"Those who are responsible for making the system work did not do their jobs and we get left holding the bag," State Representative Patrick Connick said.

"That's money that is not collected and somebody's got to pay for it. It's going to be the taxpayers of the State."

The audit roughly covered last year.

Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development officials admit the audit revealed serious problems and they say they've already started working on them.

"We're attacking that backlog really aggressively and we're working with the Attorney General's office. They are helping us with those collections and we're moving forward and starting to increase those numbers."

DOTD estimates toll collections are now at 95 percent.

Crews recently installed a box on the bridge that allows drivers to pay the toll at the bridge crossing.

Louisiana has also contracted with Mississippi and Texas to process violators from out of state.

Copyright 2012 WAFB. All rights reserved.

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