WBRZ - Baton Rouge

NEW ORLEANS - It could be this weekend before New Orleans area commuters know whether they will have to keep paying tolls on the Crescent City Connection bridge.

Secretary of State figures show a ballot item extending the tolls for 20 years had eight more "yes" votes than "no" votes. But an extended deadline for military ballots was in effect until Wednesday night.

Orleans Clerk of Court Arthur Morrell said any such ballots would be counted Saturday. Meanwhile, machine totals are to be verified Thursday.

Unofficial returns showed supporters of the 20-year toll extension casting 154,373 "yes" votes; the "no" votes totaled 154,365.