The Shreveport City Council has given the green light to a privately funded toll bridge project over the Red River, despite vocal opposition from residents of nearby subdivisions. The council’s unanimous decision allows the use of city-owned land for the project, which is spearheaded by Alabama-based Red River Expressway.

Project Details and Local Concerns

The proposed eight-mile road and bridge tollway will connect Flournoy Lucas in Caddo Parish to Highway 71 in Bossier Parish, with an estimated cost of $115 million. While the bridge will require a toll, the roadways on either side of the river will remain open to the public.

Local residents from the Esplanade and 12 Oaks subdivisions have expressed concerns about the project’s impact on their communities. Kathryn Beauregard, a resident, voiced her desire for more information, citing her investment in her home. Jonathan Graham, another resident, urged the council to deny the right-of-way, highlighting the potential negative effects on the local neighborhoods.

Next Steps and Regulatory Hurdles

The project, which began planning in 2020, has already received approvals from Bossier and Caddo parish governments and the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development. It now awaits clearance from the Army Corps of Engineers.

The Metropolitan Planning Commission may also play a role in the project’s future, depending on how the unified development code is interpreted. Stephen Jean, the commission’s interim director, noted that the project has not yet submitted an official plan, leaving some uncertainty about the commission’s authority over the use of residential lots.

Jean explained that any new modifications to the final site plan would require consultation with the unified development code section 16.9. If changes are deemed significant, the project would need to undergo a public process for approval.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.