A. The legislature hereby finds and declares that the development, construction, improvement, expansion, and maintenance of an efficient, safe, and well-maintained limited access highway system and related ingress and egress is essential to promote continued economic growth and to provide a high quality of life for the people of the Ouachita Parish area.
B. Public revenue, including federal funds, has not kept pace with the area's growing transportation system needs. The legislature hereby finds and declares that it is a matter of public necessity to create the Ouachita Expressway Authority, to pursue alternative and innovative funding sources, including but not limited to tolls, to supplement public revenue sources, and to build a fourth bridge over the Ouachita River.