WBRZ - Baton Rouge

BATON ROUGE - Twenty cents from every gallon of gas goes to the Louisiana Highway Trust Fund to pay for road improvements and infrastructure. But the state's legislature wants to take $43 million away from that fund to help balance the budget.

It leaves drivers and local leaders angry. They proposed several changes to their roads at the Capitol today to lawmakers and the Department of Transportation and Development.

West Baton Rouge Parish President Riley Berthelot, Jr. wants a toll road so drivers can bypass the Intracoastal Waterway bridges that get backed up. John Clark of Iberville Parish wants the LA 1 between Plaquemine and White Castle resurfaced.

"If you bring any friends from out of town, it's embarassing," Clark said.

But those hopes could remain just dreams if the legislature takes the $43 million, Ken Perret with Louisiana Good Roads fears.

"We're blessed in Louisiana to have good rivers and rail, but unless we keep our highways up, we're gonna be playing second fiddle to states that do have good highway transportation," Perret said.