Vitter, Others Support Toll To Complete I-49

LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) — U.S. Sen. David Vitter says he "aggressively favors tolls" to pay part of the $3 billion needed for the completion of Interstate 49 between Lafayette and New Orleans.

Vitter made the statements Friday at a meeting of the I-49 South Coalition in Lafayette, drawing support from other attendees.

A feasibility study released recently concludes that a toll of 18 cents per mile toll could pay for 30-40 percent of the project.

Former state Transportation Secretary Kam Movassiaghi is calling for increased fuel taxes and a reorganized Department of Transportation and Development.

He's proposing an 8 percent tax on the base price of fuel to replace the current tax of 16 cents per gallon. Movassiaghi says the tax would bring in $690 million, versus the current tax, which generates $480 million.