over the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway at Belle Chasse is seen next to the old bridge on Tuesday Four lanes are now open to traffic on the Belle Chasse Bridge the primary link to Venture Global's Plaquemines LNG The Belle Chasse Bridge fully opened to traffic at 5 a.m 11 months later than originally anticipated The span crosses the Intracoastal Waterway and is the primary link to enter and leave Plaquemines Parish where Venture Global’s Plaquemines LNG plant is located The nearly yearlong delay came after the developer learned of ground settlement — the natural gradual sinking of earth — that was happening at a higher rate than expected under the section of the project where ground connects to the bridge Contractors were forced to tear out fully constructed approaches and replace them under a new "The result is approach ramps that bear less load on the soft silt and soil that supports the bridge thoroughly tested and is performing to expectation," said project spokesperson Abbe Ginn The ground settlement the led to the delay did not create driver safety hazards but it did not meet requirements of the construction project according to Plenary and the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development which is overseeing the public-private partnership Tolls will pay for a portion of the $170 million project which is being financed in large part through federal funding and Plenary but are likely to commence "in the coming days" after equipment inspections are complete and approved by DOTD "Tolls will be collected in each direction by an electronic tolling system that does not require vehicles to stop," according to DOTD "Residents and commuters are encouraged to get a GeauxPass which offers lower toll rates and ease of payment." The fee for Plaquemines Parish residents with GeauxPass is 25 cents Four community open houses to help residents sign up for GeauxPass are scheduled as follows: Email Alyse Pfeil at alyse.pfeil@theadvocate.com The new bridge is Louisiana’s first public-private partnership for a major infrastructure project Email notifications are only sent once a day News Tips:nolanewstips@theadvocate.com Other questions:subscriberservices@theadvocate.com Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: WGNO Tolling date delays continue for Belle Chasse Bridge The New Orleans Police Department is trying to arrest a burglary suspect who wore a clown mask to disguise his identity the Den of Distinction has inducted only 22 outstanding alumni to come out of Loyola University's Communication and Design program Orleans Parish District Attorney's Office announces seizure of Central City car wash Fiesta in Lafreniere Park for Cinco De Mayo Fest Alleged accomplice in Kansas City reporter death case will face second-degree murder charge: KPD and Ro Brown to be inducted into the Loyola University Den of Distinction Cinco de Mayo & Happy Birthday Milton at Felipe's in Old Metairie Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at Felipe's in Old Metairie French Chef Delivers Lunch at NOLA French School Metairie 12-year-old has award-winning handwriting Motorists cross the Belle Chasse Bridge that fully opened to traffic at 5 a.m Louisiana residents crossing over the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway on the new Belle Chasse Bridge will need to pay a toll soon The bridge, a private-public partnership, was opened to the public on March 17 after an 11-month delay officials waited to fully implement it until after the bridge was open for its first few weeks Though the toll's start date has been pushed back several times, officials now say the tolls — which for most vehicles will cost 25 cents for Plaquemines residents, $1.13 for non-residents with a GeauxPass and $2.26 for everyone else — will go into effect on April 22 The tolls will have to be paid in both directions Tolls prices are higher for those pulling trailers and for those driving larger trucks and vans The bridge's new charges make it one of just three tolls in Louisiana all of which are in the southeastern part of the state drivers are charged tolls when traveling across the LA 1 Bridge connecting Leeville to Port Fourchon and on the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway Bridge Tolls on the Causeway are only collected on the Mandeville side of the lake heading west The Belle Chasse and LA 1 bridge tolls are managed in part by the state while the Causeway toll is managed by the Causeway Commission The Causeway has toll booths requiring payment to pass through Drivers who consistently need to pass over Louisiana tolls can register for a toll transponder, known as a GeauxPass The transponder is attached to your vehicle's windshield it sends a signal to toll equipment and automatically deducts the fee An initial minimum payment of $30 is needed to set up a GeauxPass account If your account gets below the $20 minimum you'll need to deposit more money to keep the account active You can also keep a credit card on file to "auto-replenish" your account once funds fall below $10 Residents can get a GeauxPass transponder online on the GeauxPass mobile app or by calling (866) 662-8987 The Geaux Pass customer service center is located at 1821 South Alex Plaisance Blvd 3235) and is open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m uses a different toll transponder and account system Though both toll transponders will work on all toll bridges drivers must have both a Causeway account and a GeauxPass account set up if they are crossing both bridges The cost to open a Causeway toll tag account is $20 which covers both a transponder and the minimum payment Toll transponders from other states will not work for any of Louisiana's tolls If you choose not to get a toll tag or you are an out of state driver toll charges for LA 1 and the Belle Chasse Bridge are sent to the address tied to your vehicle's registration Class 1 (most vehicles and trucks): less than 20 feet tall less than 8.5 feet width and less than 12 feet in height Class 2 (small trailers): more than 20 feet tall but shorter than 35 feet; length shorter than less than 20 feet tall and 8.5 feet wide; or taller than 12 feet  Class 3 (large trailers): more than 35 feet tall Class 2 (small trailers): more than 20 feet tall but shorter than 35 feet; length shorter than less than 20 feet tall and 8.5 feet wide; or taller than 12 feet  Class 3 (large trailers): more than 35 feet tall  The Causeway (credit cards have a 3% surcharge) Email Julia Guilbeau at jguilbeau@theadvocate.com A new toll will be implemented April 2 after the delayed completion of the Belle Chasse Bridge over the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway The start date of a toll to use the new Belle Chasse Bridge has been moved back again to April 22 to accommodate the installation of permanent… Delays continue for Belle Chasse Bridge tolling date This work, La. Guard holds retirement ceremony for distinguished colonel at Belle Chasse Academy , must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright The Belle Chasse Bridge is fully opened to traffic after almost 5 years of construction Belle Chasse Bridge drivers have a little extra time to commute without being charged as bad weather has stopped the ability for workers to complete the final touches on the bridge thus delaying the start of the new tolling system until April 8 Official tolling for the Belle Chasse Bridge is set to start on Thursday