SECRETARY’S EMERGENCY ORDER

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COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY

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WHEREAS, pursuant to the Louisiana Homeland Security and Emergency Assistance and Disaster Act, La. R.S. 29:721, et seq., the Governor declared a Public Health emergency in Proclamation No. 25 JBE 2020 and has extended those provisions until May 15, 2020 in a subsequent proclamation in order to protect the health and safety of the public from the threat of COVID-19;

WHEREAS, in the days since the declaration of public health emergency, the COVID-19 outbreak in Louisiana has expanded significantly;

WHEREAS, additional measures are necessary to protect the health and safety of the public;

WHEREAS, the safety and welfare of the inhabitants of the state of Louisiana and surrounding states require that the movements of motorist traveling on the public highways of the state of Louisiana; and

WHEREAS, to deal with emergencies or disasters and to ensure that preparations of this state will be adequate to deal with such emergencies or disasters, and to preserve the lives and property of the citizens of the state of Louisiana, including the authority to suspend the provisions of any regulatory statute prescribing the procedures for conduct of state business, or the orders, rules, or regulations of any state agency, if strict compliance with the provisions of any statute, order, rule, or regulation would in any way prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with the emergency; and

WHEREAS, COVID-19 is impacting physical interaction of citizens throughout the state of Louisiana by the implementation of Center for Disease Control and Prevention guidance to all citizens to utilize social distancing and eliminating personal contact during the Covid-19 virus pandemic.

NOW THEREFORE, I, SHAWN DAVID WILSON, Secretary of Department of Transportation and Development, State of Louisiana, by virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution and the laws of the State of Louisiana, do hereby order and direct as follows:

SECTION 1: With respect to the collection of payments at tolls under the operation and control of the state of Louisiana, specifically LA 1 Toll Bridge from Leeville, Louisiana to Grand Isle and Port Fourchon, for the purpose limiting personal physical contact the following changes are being made to follow the statewide direction of social distancing and eliminating personal contact during the Covid-19 virus pandemic.

1. Lane 1, which is the Cash/Credit Card Lane will close and all southbound traffic will be diverted to Lane 2, which is our AVI or Tag Lane. Those customers that currently have a GeauxPass Toll Account and Tag for their vehicle will see no changes in operations.

2. Customers who do not currently have an account or toll tag will drive through lane 2 instead of lane 1 and the vehicle and its license plate image will be captured by camera.

3. The toll staff will review all images and mail invoices for the price of the “Toll Only” to customers who would have otherwise paid with cash or a credit card in lane 1. There will be a notation on the invoice that states it is a “Toll Only Invoice” with no added fines or fees.

SECTION 2: With respect to the Customer Service Center in Golden Meadow, Louisiana for the purpose limiting personal physical contact the following changes are being made to follow the statewide direction of social distancing and eliminating personal contact during the Covid-19 virus pandemic.

1. The Customer Service Center in Golden Meadow, Louisiana will close its lobby but will continue to handle customer interactions through the GeauxPass Phone lines and internet. Customers will be able to open accounts, make payments on accounts and violations and make changes to accounts.

4. The GeauxPass website is www.geauxpass.com and the customer service center phone number is 1-866-662-8987

SECTION 3: This Order is effective and shall remain in effect in conjunction with the statewide Stay at Home Order or until May 31, 2020, unless amended, modified or rescinded.
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Secretary Shawn D. Wilson, Ph.D.
Department of Transportation and Development