Approval Given To Build Brand New I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge
The Louisiana Department of Transportation was given the go-ahead from a state legislative committee to pursue a public-private partnership to build a new I-10 bridge over the Calcasieu River.
The Joint Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works gave the green light on the project last week. DOTD secretary, Shawn Wilson, said the new bridge will cost an estimated $600-$800 million to complete. Wilson also added that waiting is not an option to replace the bridge, as the cost will continue to rise year by year.
The current bridge was first opened in 1952. It was originally rated for 70,876 vehicles a day. However, the number of vehicles traveling over the bridge well surpasses that amount.