LA HB687

Creates the St. Bernard Transportation Corridor roadway to connect the Louisiana International Terminal to the interstate highway system, serve as an alternative local traffic route, and function as an emergency evacuation route

Authorizes the Port of New Orleans Board of Commissioners to pursue public-private partnerships for design, construction, financing, operation, and maintenance of the roadway project

Grants the board powers to acquire property through purchase, lease, or expropriation; enter agreements with public and private entities; and accept federal, state, or private funding contributions

Requires final concession agreements with public-private partners to be approved by the Joint Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works, and mandates consultation with the Department of Transportation and Development on final roadway design

Authorizes user fees (tolls) for the corridor and exempts the roadway and associated property from state taxation, designating the project as an essential governmental function