Council accepts DOTD servitude offer for Belle Chasse bridge project over objections

The Plaquemines Parish Council voted 5–4 on Oct. 10 to accept an offer from the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development to purchase a drainage servitude for the Belle Chasse Bridge and Tunnel Project (Parcel No. 115 D 1).

Councilmember Mark McCarty offered the ordinance authorizing acceptance of DOTD’s servitude purchase, and members discussed appraisal and negotiation details. Councilmember Champagne questioned whether the state’s offer reflected fair market value, noting an indicated figure of $50,001.87 in documentation and asking whether multiple appraisals were obtained. Administration responded that DOTD is required to obtain at least two appraisals and that the figure cited in the packet was the higher of the two.

Several council members expressed frustration with past dealings with DOTD and what they characterized as low offers and uneven treatment of parish properties; Councilmember Kognevich (23) said he opposed the transaction because of broader opposition to the toll bridge project. Others urged moving forward to ensure the larger bridge project can proceed.

Administration clarified that if the parish did not accept the servitude, DOTD retains the authority to pursue expropriation (eminent domain) and that the amount offered in formal negotiations is the current state figure. After discussion the council approved the acceptance by a narrow margin (5–4). The meeting record shows the vote passed 5 to 4; the clerk announced the result.

Next steps: administration will finalize the servitude sale documents with DOTD and proceed with the project’s right‑of‑way steps. Council members who opposed the sale asked for continued transparency on state negotiations and appraisal documentation.