By Dannie Oliveaux | dannieoliveaux@theexaminer.com
April 29, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry joined federal, state, and local officials at the Bord du Lac Drive Lakefront Promenade to break ground on the long-awaited I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge Replacement Project, according to the Louisiana Department of Transportaiton and Development (DOTD).
About 90,000 vehicles each day cross the current bridge that was completed in 1952.
The ceremony marks the official commencement of construction on a multi-billion-dollar Public-Private Partnership (P3) designed to modernize one of the most critical infrastructure corridors in the United States.
“This bridge has been a promise of the Landry Administration since day one and I am proud to fulfill it today,” said Landry. “This project marks the largest transportation infrastructure investment in Louisiana history. This is an exciting day for Calcasieu Parish and for the entire state, and I am already looking forward to the ribbon cutting just a few years from now.”
The $2.3 billion project will replace the existing 1950s-era Calcasieu River Bridge with a touted state-of-the-art structure engineered to meet 21st-century demands.
While the new bridge is under construction, the current bridge and its connecting ramps will undergo strategic upgrades in efforts to ensure continued service until the new bridge opens in 2031, said DOTD.
The corridor will feature expanded capacity and modern engineering standards, with three travel lanes in each direction addressing the structural and functional limitations of the current bridge.
The new bridge will include three 12-foot travel lanes in each direction, an auxiliary lane in each direction, enhanced lighting, 12-foor shoulders on both sides of the roadway, electronic tolling, and a reduction in height from 152 feet to 75-95 feet.
Beyond the bridge, the comprehensive project includes:
• Reconstruction of 5.5 miles of I-10 to replace aging roadway and multiple other bridges
• Addition of a travel lane on I-10 in each direction to increase capacity and eliminate the existing bottlenecks
• Construction of a new elevated Sampson Street interchange to eliminate railroad crossings and facilitate predictable travel
• Creation of an eastbound service road system between PPG Drive and Sampson Street to reduce congestion and weaving on I-10
• Reconstruction of the I-210 westbound ramp for enhanced safety and capacity
• Inclusion of a $10-million Active Transportation allowance to create new facilities for pedestrians and cyclists around the bridge
• Dedicated maintenance of the new roadway and bridge for a 50-year term
“Bringing modernized infrastructure to this heavily traveled section of the Interstate 10 corridor is long overdue,” said Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development Secretary Glenn Ledet. “This is a huge milestone in the department’s ongoing commitment to improving and strengthening transportation throughout the state. The department collaborated with agencies and officials on all levels to make this project a reality.”
According to DOTD, the undertaking requires unprecedented coordination between local industry, railroads, utility providers, and all levels of government.
“Under the leadership of President Donald Trump and Secretary Sean Duffy, the U.S. Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration are enhancing Americans’ freedom to drive by building big, beautiful roads and bridges, and partnering with Louisiana and other states to address congestion and accelerate project delivery,” said Federal Highway Administrator Sean McMaster. “This is exactly what Louisiana is doing as we break ground on the new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge. I’m thrilled to join our partners to get shovels in the ground for this project and make travel more convenient in Southwest Louisiana.”
The innovative P3 funding model allows for expedited construction timelines and private investment.
Notably, the state of Louisiana maintains a 15% equity share in the tolling revenues generated by the project, which will reportedly provide for continued infrastructure investment in the region.
DOTD said the project guarantees reliable, uninterrupted access for U.S. natural gas and petroleum to reach Gulf ports and supply the global market.
The effort is estimated to bring $3.29 billion in economic impact to the region, create more than 16,000 jobs during the project’s lifecycle, and $1.9 billion in labor income.
Members of the Calcasieu Bridge Project team include:
• Lead developer and equity member: Plenary Americas
• Equity members: ACCIONA and Sacyr
• Design-build joint venture: ACCIONA and Sacyr
• Tolling operator: Kapsch
• Operations and maintenance: Plenary Americas, ACCIONA and Sacyr
Motorists can stay informed of project updates and potential traffic shifts by visiting the official project website at I10CalcasieuBridge.com and following the project’s social media channels.
