Tolls Going Up On Causeway Bridge Linking Lake’s South, North Shores

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Starting Saturday, commuters will pay higher tolls to cross the bridge linking the north and south shores of Lake Pontchartrain.

         The increase will go from $2 to $3 for southbound drivers on the Causeway with toll tags and from $3 to $5 for customers who pay with cash. Larger vehicles will be affected more. Tolls will rise from $15 to $23 for an 18-wheeler cash-paying customer. That's an $8 increase. Toll-tag payers driving 18-wheelers will pay $22.50 per trip.

         The northbound side of the bridge remains free of charges.

         The new revenue will go toward $130 million in safety improvements for the bridge, including higher railings on the southbound bridge and new shoulders in both directions.