DOTD clears work to begin on new I10 bridge in LC. Estimated 7 years to complete

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The Louisiana Department of Transportation (DOTD) has announced that the $2.3 billion Interstate 10 Calcasieu River Bridge megaproject in Lake Charles has officially reached a financial close. That means that the contractor, Calcasieu Bridge Partners, can now begin work on the project.

DOTD Secretary Joe Donahue says, “Tens of thousands of motorists cross the outdated existing bridge every day. A new bridge is long overdue, and clearing this hurdle puts our state closer than ever to seeing construction on this essential project.”

DOTD and the contractor signed the public-private partnership (P3) in January to build the new bridge. That was followed by the Louisiana State Bond Commission approving the sale of private activity bonds for the project at its July 24, 2024 meeting. State and federal funding covers $1.2 billion of the project’s overall cost. The remaining costs will be covered through toll revenue.

DOTD says the tolls will not be charged until the new bridge is open to traffic. The state will retain nearly 15% of toll revenues after construction, maintenance, and debt service costs are paid. These will be used to lower toll rates, shorten the toll’s 50-year term, or fund future highway transportation infrastructure projects in Southwest Louisiana’s five-parish area. Governor Jeff Landry says, “Secretary Donahue and I are focused on the positive economic impacts for our state and the region with the toll profit requirements that could result in lower rates or even more infrastructure improvements.”

The project is a 5.5-mile bridge from Ryan Street in Lake Charles to the I-210 and I-10 interchange in Westlake. Improvements include the new bridge and approaches, interstate roadways and ramps, 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 also be elevated over the railroad tracks to eliminate blockages from trains. Preliminary construction on the project may begin as early as this year (2024) and is anticipated to take approximately seven years to complete. Once construction is finished, Calcasieu Bridge Partners will operate and maintain the new bridge for up to 50 years. The current I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge is more than 70 years old and predates the interstate system. DOTD notes that, unlike most modern bridges, it is narrow, has steep approach grades, and lacks shoulders and lighting. The new bridge will not be as steep, have additional lanes, full shoulders, and roadway lighting.

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