BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) Louisiana’s transportation chief says imposing tolls should be an option to pay for road projects in the state during these tough economic times.

William Ankner, secretary of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, said in a recent interview that state officials need to look at how they are going to finance road projects.

Ankner stopped short of suggesting tolls as a financing option, but he said it should be considered. He did acknowledge the issue has been controversial.

Former state Transportation Secretary Johnny Bradberry set off a political firestorm in 2006 when he filed a request with federal officials to impose tolls on Interstate 10 and I-12. Then-Gov. Kathleen Blanco quickly ruled out the proposal amid heavy criticism of the idea.

Today's top stories

Growing Interest in Construction Careers Among Younger People Means Jobs Filled, Deadlines Met

Larry Young Paving Tackles Grade-Separated Interchange in Texas

Caltrans, Crews Working to Repair Highway Landslides

FIRSTGREEN Industries Launches ROCKEAT Electric Skid Steer Loader

'Tiltrotator Effect' Increases as Energy Consumption Goes Down

VIDEO: Birmingham, Ala., Awarded $14.5M Fed Grant to Revitalize Its 'Black Main Street'

Pettibone Celebrates 75th Anniversary of Cary-Lift

Fay Preps Way for Pittsburgh International Airport Modernization Project