NEW ORLEANS -- Whether or not drivers will continue tolls on the Crescent City Connection after 2012 could determine the future of the Algiers Ferry service.
It’s a hot button issue at Algiers Point, where residents gathered Thursday.
“I’ve seen or heard comments that if the tolls go away, well the ferries go away,” said Sherri LeBas, Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development secretary. “Well, there is a problem in how you would fund the ferries. We looked at that. Remember operational costs, capital costs, $11 million a year. Money has to come from somewhere, right?”
It’s a reason residents we talked with believe the tolls and ferry service should be left as is.
“It’s a life blood to us and to tourists,” said Hillery Moise, an Algiers resident. “It’s one of the older running ferries in the country. Why would the legislators want to stop collecting tolls when we are one of the lowest bridges, one of the five most traveled bridges in the country? Why would we stop collecting tolls?”
“The continued availability of ferry service is critical to our quality of life and to our property values,” said Amy Hubbell, an Algiers resident.
While the crowd at Thursday's town hall meeting was overwhelmingly in favor of keeping the tolls and the ferry service, many West Bank commuters believe the tolls should be discontinued.
Some have questioned the management of the connection and its toll money. LeBas said steps are being taken to address that.
“We have been doing numerous audits of the CCC, and we are taking those very seriously and trying to improve," she said. "I’ve been secretary now since February 5, 2010. So for the past six months, we are looking at that, even before I became secretary. We are looking for ways to improve the services.”
Ultimately, state lawmakers will decide the issue.
