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Lake Pontchartrain Causeway officials say they‘re on track for safety upgrades on the bridge, raising $8 million of the approximate $0 million since tolls for southbound drivers increased nearly a year ago.
In May 2017, the toll rose from $2 to $3 for southbound drivers with toll tags and from $3 to $5 for customers who pay with cash. The northbound side of the bridge remains free of charge.
Larger vehicles pay more. Tolls rose from $15 to $23 for an 18-wheeler cash-paying customer. Toll-tag drivers of 18-wheelers now pay $22.50 per trip.
The $8 million preliminarily raised so far is on target for what officials expected at this point. The money is paying for higher railings on the southbound bridge and new shoulders in both directions.
Carlton Dufrechou, general manager of the Greater New Orleans Expressway Commission, said a designer and contractor have been selected for...