A US$600m toll road has been proposed in St Bernard Parish, Louisiana, to support the development of a major new container terminal aimed at boosting freight capacity and enhancing the US state’s role in global trade.
The toll road project is intended to connect the planned Louisiana International Terminal (LIT) in Violet, Louisiana, with Interstate 510 via a new elevated corridor.
It aims to manage increased freight traffic generated by the terminal while providing an additional hurricane evacuation route for the region.
Michael Hecht, the port project’s coordinator, described the development as “the Super Bowl of infrastructure”, adding: “It’s essential to the future of trade.”
The 400-acre LIT site forms part of a broader US$2bn investment strategy being advanced by the Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA), which has already secured US$300m in federal funding through the US Department of Transportation’s INFRA and MEGA grant programmes.
Brandy D Christian, president and CEO of Port NOLA, said: “The Louisiana International Terminal is a transformative project that will ensure Louisiana remains competitive in global shipping.
“Our focus is on delivering modern infrastructure while working closely with the community to address local concerns.”
To support the project’s financing and delivery, the Port NOLA Board of Commissioners has appointed global consultancy WSP to develop a public-private partnership strategy for the toll road.
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Joe Pulicare, president of transportation and infrastructure at WSP USA, said: “The St Bernard Transportation Corridor represents a vital investment in regional mobility and trade efficiency.
“We are proud to work alongside Port NOLA to structure a solution that balances financial viability with stakeholder engagement.”
However, the project has encountered significant opposition locally. Residents, community leaders and school officials have raised concerns about potential displacement of families, historic sites and public infrastructure, including Willie Smith Elementary School.
“We don’t want to rearrange our life for this project or for no one else because this is our parish,” said Councilman Fred Everhardt.
Despite these concerns, a Louisiana Senate committee has approved the toll road proposal, allowing it to proceed to the full Senate for further consideration.
The decision follows a successful House transportation committee hearing earlier this year that supported Port NOLA’s request to advance land acquisitions for the corridor.
If completed, the toll road and terminal are expected to strengthen Louisiana’s position as a key gateway for international trade and provide additional infrastructure capacity for freight transport in the region.
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