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Public Hearing on I10 Bridge
Posted on 8/26/23 at 11:42 am
Posted on 8/26/23 at 11:42 am
If any of you want a say or have an opinion about this project, the public hearing is next week. On Aug. 31 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Lake Charles Civic Center.
Should a new bridge be built or upgrade existing bridge?
Here are the entities who have their hands in this project's cookie jar.
Should a new bridge be built or upgrade existing bridge?
quote:
Citizens will weigh in next week on plans to build a $2.1 billion toll bridge over the Calcasieu River in Lake Charles before lawmakers review for a final go-ahead in September.
Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development Secretary Eric Kalivoda updated lawmakers on a joint transportation committee about progress with the megaproject on Tuesday as the agency moves toward construction starting next year.
Here are the entities who have their hands in this project's cookie jar.
quote:
DOTD selected Calcasieu Bridge Partners, a group of several prominent design and construction firms, to lead the public-private partnership, and has secured $800 million in public funding to replace the 71-year-old bridge.
The public funding includes $150 million from a federal mega grant, $150 million in federal relief funding, $240 million in vehicle sales taxes over six years, $85 million in general obligation bonds, $75 million from federal highway funding, and $100 million from the state general fund, Kalivoda said.
Those funds are in addition to $150 million in DOTD retained costs from the Highway Priority Program, and $265 million in other potential costs tied to possible delays in permitting, increasing interest rates, and any changes to the plans.
Toll rates will range from 25 cents for local vehicles to $18.73 for large trucks without a toll tag, with discounts for vehicles with more than three passengers during peak traffic. Construction is slated to begin in 2024 and last seven years, with a 50-year operations and toll period once complete.
The next steps involve a public hearing on Aug. 31 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Lake Charles Civic Center to collect feedback, which will be incorporated into a report to the joint transportation committee for final approval in September.
Failure to approve the project would result in a $2.75 million stipend paid to Calcasieu Bridge Partners for developing its plan, Kalivoda said.
DOTD is exploring ways to minimize the impact of tolls on large trucks, including a potential tax credit for tolls beyond $3,000 a year that would require legislative approval. The department has also applied for a $200 million federal grant to buy down toll rates for non-local autos to lessen the potential impact on regional tourism.
Other efforts to maintain access to lakefront recreational areas would require a legislative appropriation, as would extra expenses to add decorative lighting and cable stays and a bike and pedestrian lane that were not required in DOTD’s request for proposals.
DOTD is compiling an estimate for the costs and risks associated with those changes to present to lawmakers, who would also need to change state law for the bike path to proceed.
Several lawmakers expressed concerns with tolling motorists for 50 years to help pay for the bridge and an interest in avoiding tolls and tax credits, including possibly rehabilitating the current bridge.
“It’s just sad to see that our taxpayers are going to have to take a double-whammy, from paying a toll and offset by coming out of the general funds and stuff like that to pay the tolls” through potential tax credits, said Rep. Rodney Schamerhorn, R-Hornbeck.
“I would say … if we do not proceed forward, the bridge is going to be deferred indefinitely,” Kalivoda said. “There is no way to close that gap” in funding.
Posted on 8/26/23 at 11:47 am to Bayou Brat
quote:
“I would say … if we do not proceed forward, the bridge is going to be deferred indefinitely,” Kalivoda said. “There is no way to close that gap” in funding.
bullshite.
Plant a fricking Ukraine flag on it.
Consider it paid for with extra money in all our pockets.
Posted on 8/26/23 at 11:48 am to thejudge
quote:
would say … if we do not proceed forward, the bridge is going to be deferred indefinitely,” Kalivoda said. “There is no way to close that gap” in funding.
Good, put the money toward the loop
Posted on 8/26/23 at 11:50 am to Bayou Brat
quote:
Several lawmakers expressed concerns with tolling motorists for 50 years to help pay for the bridge and an interest in avoiding tolls and tax credits, including possibly rehabilitating the current bridge.
Only someone who has never driven over that bridge would suggest this.
Posted on 8/26/23 at 11:54 am to Bayou Brat
quote:
I would say … if we do not proceed forward, the bridge is going to be deferred indefinitely,” Kalivoda said. “There is no way to close that gap” in funding.
bullshite. The bridge will get built. We pay taxes, build the bridge. Figure it out mother frickers.
Posted on 8/26/23 at 12:39 pm to Bayou Brat
Sure there are ways and means to get this done.
One mere solution is reduce the inflated (fat) cost estimates by all participating parties.
One mere solution is reduce the inflated (fat) cost estimates by all participating parties.
Posted on 8/26/23 at 1:29 pm to lake chuck fan
quote:
bullshite. The bridge will get built. We pay taxes, build the bridge. Figure it out mother frickers.
I think it would be a good idea to show up at this hearing and let the politicians know enough with environmental studies already and get it built. Or you may find them taking the easy way out and do the retrofit instead.
Posted on 8/26/23 at 2:14 pm to Bayou Brat
Not from Lake Charles so I don’t know, would the new bridge need to be so high?
Posted on 8/26/23 at 10:23 pm to doubleb
What is the source of info in OP?
Posted on 8/26/23 at 10:35 pm to Bayou Brat
How can anyone think that bridge can be repaired?
Posted on 8/27/23 at 2:24 am to Bayou Brat
I am not a structural engineer. What the F#$& am I going to say. If it need work then do the work. Why are they having a hearing.
Posted on 8/27/23 at 3:16 am to Bayou Brat
I like the guns. Keep the guns.
Posted on 8/27/23 at 3:32 am to Bayou Brat
I didn't think they could make a primary interstate route a toll. Is it because the bypass will still be available without a toll?
Posted on 8/27/23 at 3:43 am to BeepNode
Hire Elon's Boring Company to make a tunnel like in Mobile.
Posted on 8/27/23 at 3:46 am to BeepNode
quote:
I didn't think they could make a primary interstate route a toll.
That would be a reasonable assumption...but it definitely happens
Posted on 8/27/23 at 4:56 am to Bayou Brat
quote:
Public Hearing on I10 Bridge
So that was the reason for the miles long backup. Weren't there any meeting places available?
Posted on 8/27/23 at 10:19 am to navy
Posted on 8/27/23 at 10:42 am to lake chuck fan
Here's a rendering of what it will look like....
Posted on 8/27/23 at 10:46 am to DeafVallyBatnR
quote:
I am not a structural engineer. What the F#$& am I going to say. If it need work then do the work. Why are they having a hearing.
Need to light a fire under their azzes and get this bridge built.
Found a 2 year old discussion on this.
LINK /
Posted on 8/27/23 at 10:54 am to Bayou Brat
I've read some bridge inspection reports from this bridge.
While it isn't as bad as many alarmists claim, they could maybe re-use the concrete piles.
While it isn't as bad as many alarmists claim, they could maybe re-use the concrete piles.
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