Save the Ferries Save the Bridge

1. Save the Ferries Save the Bridge To toll or not to toll That is the question

2. Tolls WILL end Dec. 31, 2012 • The “default” is that the tolls WILL end • The promise is kept • In order for tolls to continue, legislation must be presented and passed by both the Senate and House of Representatives

3. Fans of toll renewal say… • Politicians will never get rid of tolls • Nobody in Northern Louisiana will want to pay for our bridge and ferries • We can do nothing and nature will take its course and tolls WILL BE renewed

4. Fans of no-tolls insist… • In today’s climate, no one will dare file a bill to extend the tolls • If it is filed, nobody will dare vote for it… • If it passes, the Governor will veto it! • The state legislators are convinced our the bridge can managed without toll money and it will cost them nothing

5. Our local officials are convinced… • The majority of their constituents DON’T WANT tolls • It would be unfair to their constituents to support an unpopular “tax” • In fact, some say, it would be political suicide!

6. Bienville’s Bluff - 1699

7. The Task Force • Created by Senator David Heitmeier and J.P. Morrell to study the toll issue and determine a recommendation • 20 names submitted to the Governor • 10 representatives of 13 local business & neighborhood associations HANDPICKED by the Governor • Report due January 2012

8. The Task Force is to review and make recommendations… • Will the CCCD continue? Will the DOTD take over? Will there be a MRBA? • Bridge maintenance • Traffic Control • ALL funding sources • The ferry system

9. Current CCCD revenue - 2010 • Tolls $21 M • Highway Fund #2 $5.4 M * • Ferry vehicle revenue $282 K • Federal grants $0 • Other $1.1 M • TOTAL REVENUE:$27.5 M

10. Since the bridge is paid for…

11. Why must we continue to pay tolls? • Why are we the only bridge in Louisiana that pays tolls? • Why must we pay for our own painting & repairs when DOTD does this for the rest of the state? • Why should folks in Marrero have to pay for ferries they don’t use? • Why should we trust the CCCD when the promised projects were not delivered?

12. 1. Why must we continue to pay tolls? • We don’t. The tolls WILL end in Dec. 2012 • This presentation is about what your quality of life with look like by saving $.40 per day

13. If you cross the bridge EVERY day • $12 per month =

14. 2. Why are we the only toll bridge? We are the only Louisiana bridge with… • Bridge Police • Decorative lighting • Enhanced trash pickup & landscaping • Three ferry routes • Painting & maintenance of bridge & roadways

15. 2. The DOTD paints bridges, fixes roads, etc. Why are we paying for our own projects?

16. DOTD prioritizes projects by need. When our bridge looks as bad as the old Baton Rouge Bridge, IT WILL GET PAINTED TOO!

17. 3. Why should Marrero folks pay for ferries they don’t use? • There are only two ways to cross the river • If no ferries, 2.9 M annual ferry users will have no other option but to take the bridge • Bridge is already at capacity • No way to expand the bridge

18. 8,000 MORE cars per day!

19. 4. Why should we trust the CCCD? “If we’re broke,they can’t steal from us!” • When the axel charge went from $.50 to $.20, the projects were doomed. ($146 M lost) • Legislators didn’t tell us the projects were undoable or they couldn’t pass the tolls • Old management “retired” in 2008 • New oversight, policies & transparencies in last 3 years

20. Road to…THE TOLL FREE BRIDGE • $23 M in tolls gone • One-time toll reserves: $15 M • Highway fund #2: annual $6 M *

21. The Toll Free Bridge • No more CCCD - MRBA staff of 3 replaces 225 employee jobs • MRBA will maintain bridge lighting, trash cleanup, grass cutting and landscaping • DOTD takes over bridge & road maintenance • Outsource Bridge Police to State Police • Outsource Ferries

22. Budget (cushion of $750 K) • ANNUAL INCOME: $7.25 M • Highway Fund #2: $6 M • Ferry Fares (projected): $1.25 M • ANNUAL EXPENSES: $6.5 M • Ferries $2.75 M (down from $9 M) • Police $1.75 M (down from $2.3 M) • Lighting $750 K (same) • Trash & Grass $250 K (same) • Debt Service on bonds $500 K • MRBA staff & expenses $500 K

23. Oops! • $1.25 M in ferry fares can’t be counted as income because that money would go to the management company running the ferries

24. Oops! • HIGHWAY FUND # 2: Actual 2010 figure is only $5.4 M • New projections came in for 2011. The new amount drops to $4.6 M

25. Oops, did it again! RESERVE FUND • $15 M in reserves must go to already prioritized projects NOT ferries • Oversight Authority (CCCOA) has just voted to spend $3 M for repairs • CCCOA advises the remaining $12 M may be exhausted by the time the tolls expire

26. Revisions Needed “Needless to say, these changes to the amounts and availability of funding sources have dramatically lowered the sources of income that were assumed would be available for use by the MRBA in the toll-free plan. In response to these changes, the proposed plan has been modified accordingly.”

27. Toll Free Bridge – Revised Budget • INCOME: $4.6 M • Highway Fund # 2 only revenue • No reserve funds • EXPENSES: $4.6 M • Police $2.3 (no savings over CCCD) • Lighting $750 K (no savings over CCCD) • Landscaping/Trash $1.2 M (no savings over CCCD) • Debt Service on Bonds $350 K

28. No budget for… • Bridge repairs • Ferries • Staff! “All decisions and directives of the MRBA, as well as oversight of the outsourced activities funded by the MRBA, can be made by the current CCCOA.”

29. LET’S ALL GET TOGETHER AND PUT ON A BRIDGE!

30. The problems with the toll-free option… (Operating budget slashed by 4/5ths)

31. DOTD can’t handle repairs… • TTF finances over 13,000 bridges & 16,000 miles of roadways in Louisiana • DOTD required to use “Highway Priority Program” • Most in need comes first • Any project not completed moves to next year’s list • Projects already prioritized for next 7 years • Except for safety issues, the CCCD Bridge would be placed after that

32. REPAIRS NEEDED ($65M) • Algiers approach to Bridge 1 – all bents have cracking - $500 K • WB Express repairs to deck spalls & cleaning of drainage system- $500 K • Repair of failed siding plate deck joints $750 K • Structural repairs due to significant steel section loss and cracking at bracing, connection members, stringers and girders - $2.5 M

33. Repairs to concrete caps, concrete spalls, bearings, bearing pads, anchorages, and drainage system: $1.5 M • Painting of Bridge 2 (main span): $20 M • Painting of Bridge 2 (Algiers approach): $7.4 M • Painting of Bridge 2 (Canal approach): $5.6 M • Investigation and crack sealing to inverted T-chaps on WB Expressway: $2 M • Replace timber fender system with upgraded modular precast concrete system: $25 M

34. Bridge Police under State Police Original plan was to save administrative costs by having State Police manage the Bridge Police

35. Under the State Police • The Bridge Police would patrol 2 more miles to I 10 split • The Bridge Police would no longer patrol ferry landings • If the Bridge Police were needed elsewhere, they would be sent there!

36. At $2.3 M per year, there are LESS officers, MORE roadway and no savings!

37. DOTD takes over the ferries… “The DOTD would operate and pay for the existing Algiers, Gretna, and Chalmette Ferry lines as they do now utilizing existing ferry boats and existing terminals.”

38. Except they don’t. • They can’t. According to State law, the DOTD can only operate ferries between state roads • At $9 M annual cost and unreliable boats, EVERYONE agrees the ferries cannot continue as they are

39. NEW ORLEANS WITHOUT ITS FERRIES Ramifications of…

40. 4 Major Areas of Impact • Transportation & Traffic Congestion • Real Estate • Quality of Life • Economic Development

41. 4 Major Areas of Impact TRANSPORTATION & TRAFFIC CONGESTION

42. 2.9 M ferry users forced onto the bridge. A potential of 7,945 additional cars per day

43. Bridge capacity is 7,200 cars per hour

44. Buses have only 50 seats & one rack that fits two bikes

45. A fully functional Federal City will add another 11,000 workers

46. Bridge traffic unbearable during festivals

47. East Bank parking expensive or non-existent during festivals

48. “The bridge is so popular that nobody takes it anymore!”

49. 4 Major Areas of Impact PARKING • Everyday parking rates will increase with added demand • Festival rates will increase dramatically • On-street parking will decrease • Violations will result in more parking tickets as Eastbank & Westbank residents compete for spots

50. 4 Major Areas of Impact REAL ESTATE • Algiers Point real estate plummets as quality of life diminishes • East Bank rentals becomes scarcer & more expensive while West Bank rentals sit empty