Addressing Congestion in the Big Easy

We worked closely with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development on the first project procured under their P3 Authority – the replacement of the Judge Perez Bridge and Belle Chasse Tunnel. As the primary access point for those in the Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, the bridge and tunnel see over 33,000 vehicles per day.

Governor of Louisiana, John Bel Edwards said “The P3 ensures that we will deliver this much-needed new Belle Chasse Bridge for our state’s commuters and visitors. It’s also an example of our resilience and determination to succeed in the face of immense financial challenges.”

The project will replace the aging drawbridge and tunnel with a fixed bridge and electronic tolling facility to allow both ships and cars to travel without interruption. The project will also provide, for the first time, a safe dedicated path across the waterway for bicycles and pedestrians.

The revenue risk project had a capital cost of $169 million. Additional funding came from an Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant, funds allocated by the U.S. Department of Transportation to empower decision-making at the state and local level.