Administrative fees to be waived through November 15
GOLDEN MEADOW, La. – Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) Secretary William D. Ankner, Ph.D., announced that the department has begun mailing the first LA 1 toll bridge violation notices.
Drivers who crossed the toll bridge on or after Aug. 3 without purchasing a single trip GeauxPass or opening a GeauxPass account will receive a violation notice that requires them to pay the cost of the toll. However, those who crossed the bridge between Aug. 3 and Nov. 15 will not be required to pay the $25 administrative fee, which is normally charged for each violation (in addition to the toll fee). The department is granting this grace period to allow drivers time to adjust to the new open-road tolling system.
“We realize that during the first few months of the toll, some drivers may not have been aware of the toll or how the electronic system works,” Ankner said. “This three-month grace period gives ample time for the honest mistakes made after the bridge first opened. We want to give everyone the benefit of the doubt.”
Violators whose administrative fees are being waived because of the grace period should pay their toll fees by the due date printed on the notice. Those who do not pay the toll fees by the due date will forfeit their grace period waiver and will be issued the $25 administrative fee and late fees for each violation.
Beginning Monday, Nov. 16, DOTD will end the grace period. All violators who cross the bridge without paying the toll on or after Nov. 16 will be charged a $25 administrative fee – plus the cost of the toll – for each violation.
In addition, those who fail to pay their violation fees by the due date printed on their violation notice will be assessed late fees. After 30 days, a $5 late fee is assessed. After 45 days, the late fee increases to $15. After 60 days, the late fee is $20. The late fee is assessed for each individual violation.
“I encourage anyone who has questions about their toll fees to contact our Customer Service Center,” Ankner said. “We are committed to providing a positive experience for everyone who crosses the LA 1 toll bridge, and we want to work with you to address your individual concerns.”
Grand Isle Mayor David Camardelle received a $100,000 appropriation from the state to reimburse Grand Isle residents for their tolls on the new La. 1 Bridge for the first 12-15 months of operation. The mayor’s office is currently finalizing the details of how the reimbursements will be processed.
All violation notices will be mailed to the registered owners of the vehicle that violated the toll. Under Louisiana law, owners of vehicles are responsible for any toll violations regardless of who was driving at the time.
Violation fees can be paid online at www.geauxpass.com, at the Golden Meadow Customer Service Center, the Crescent City Connection Customer Service Center or by calling (866) 662-8987.
Toll violations may be disputed. All hearing requests must be submitted in writing to the address on the violation notice.
The new fixed-level LA 1 Toll bridge over Bayou Lafourche, which is part of the LA 1 Expressway, opened on July 8. The new LA 1 bridge utilizes open-road tolling technology, which allows drivers to use the bridge without slowing down or stopping at a toll booth. Tolls are collected electronically by overhead equipment located along the toll expressway.
To pay the toll, drivers can either purchase a GeauxPass, Louisiana’s new toll tag system, or they can purchase a single-trip GeauxPass. Both types of passes are available at www.geauxpass.com or at the Customer Service Center, located at 1821 Hwy. 3235 (S. Alex Plaisance) in Golden Meadow.
For more information about GeauxPass, toll violations or the new LA 1 Expressway, visit www.geauxpass.com, e-mail customerservice@geauxpass.com or call (866) 662-8987.
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