WBRZ - Baton Rouge

GONZALES - Residents in unincorporated areas of Ascension Parish will vote Nov. 6 on a sales tax to fund roughly $150 million in road improvements.

The 25-year, half-cent sales tax, which is expected to generate between $7 million and $9 million in revenue per year. Early voting begins on Tuesday and will continue through Oct. 30.

Michael Songy, a consultant hired by the parish says the focus will be on widening and intersection improvements along Airline Highway; intersection improvements along La. 22, La. 30, La. 73, La. 431 and several other key local corridor intersections; and the replacement or improvement of 10 bridges.

Songy says the parish also will take over several state roads in exchange for about $50 million in projects from state Department of Transportation and Development.