Tolls Eyed As Revenue Source For I-49

Tolls could likely generate enough revenue to pay half the cost of completing Interstate 49 through Lafayette, enough to make the long-delayed project economically feasible. That's according to a consulting firm hired to research the project.

A preliminary traffic study by HNTB finds tolls of 16 cents per mile for passenger vehicles and four times that for commercial trucks could provide enough annual revenue to secure financing ranging from $540 million to $725 million.

The Advocate reports the firm presented its findings Tuesday to the Lafayette Metropolitan Expressway Commission.

The toll-backed financing represents about half of the estimated $1 billion to $1.4 billion needed to complete I-49 through Lafayette.