PROJECT OVERVIEW
The I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge Project is a 5.5-mile corridor stretching from Ryan Street to the I-210 and I-10 interchange in Westlake.
The current I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge predated the interstate, constructed under Governor Earl K. Long and opened to traffic in 1952 as part of US Highway 90. Approximately a decade later during the 1960s the bridge was incorporated into Interstate 10 (I-10). Currently, the daily number of vehicles traveling the Calcasieu River Bridge section of I-10 exceeds the existing capacity of 70,876 vehicles per day. The LA DOTD has studied the feasibility of tolling in connection with preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), with results indicating a high likelihood of success.
PROJECT TIMELINE
PHASE | DETAILS | YEAR |
|---|---|---|
Phase 1 | Request for Proposals | 2023 |
Phase 2 | Preferred Proposer (Financial Close) | 2023 (August 2024) |
Phase 3 | Construction | 2024 - 2031 |
Phase 4 | Launch | 2031 - 2032 |
Phase 5 | Tolling & Operations | 2031 - 2036 |
BATON ROUGE – The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) announced on Wednesday [January 31, 2024] the signing of the official, public-private partnership (P3) with Calcasieu Bridge Partners to build the new Interstate 10 Calcasieu River Bridge in Lake Charles, an estimated $2.1 billion project.
The Joint Legislative Transportation, Highways and Public Works Committee approved the P3 between DOTD and CBP during its meeting Tuesday.
The project is a 5.5-mile corridor stretching from near Ryan Street in Lake Charles to the I-210 and I-10 interchange in Westlake. Along with the new bridge and approaches, the project includes the interstate roadways and ramps, the I-10 service roads, and interchanges at PPG Drive, Sampson Street, and North Lakeshore/Ryan Street that connect the interstate to state roads and local streets. Sampson Street will be elevated over the railroad tracks to eliminate blockages from trains.
The existing bridge was built in the early 1950s and predates the interstate system. It is narrow, lacks shoulders, and has steep approach grades. Conversely, the new bridge will be lower and not as steep, have more lanes, full shoulders, and roadway lighting.
