On Wednesday the Port of New Orleans answered St. Bernard residents’ questions about the proposed $1.5 billion container ship terminal project.
Over the last decade, the Port says the State has seen container volumes double and the current port can’t handle the increase. That’s where the Louisiana International Terminal proposed in Violet would come in.
Right now, the permitting process with the Army Corps of Engineers could take two to three more years, but not everyone local is behind the project. The Parish Council opposes it and there is a lawsuit trying to halt the project, which will have its first hearing soon.
Those who are concerned with the massive project fear its residential location will upend their lives and have negative environmental impacts.
The Port contends this expansion will boost the Parish’s economy. The Port estimates $1.3 million in new tax revenue six years from now in 2028. It also estimates 635 new jobs in that time.
