Funding approved for Calcasieu River Bridge
Calcasieu River Bridge funding By Jade Moreau | April 20, 2021 at 10:35 PM CDT - Updated April 20 at 10:39 PM
LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - More funding has been approved for a new I-10 bridge over the Calcasieu River.
The money is part of the 2020 Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act. Louisiana received approximately $216 million allocated for roads and infrastructure, $30 million of which will specifically go towards the I-10 Calcasieu River bridge.
“For the first time, we really have hope and belief that this is going to take place,” said president and CEO of the Southwest Louisiana Development Alliance, George Swift. “The state had previously committed $85 million to the project, which is about 10 percent of the cost. With the governor’s announcement of another 30 million, this gives us 115 million dollars to the cost of the bridge.”
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.
DOTD OK d for public-private partnership on Calcasieu Bridge project
KATC News
and last updated 2020-12-18 16:31:48-05
DOTD has received approval to solicit proposals and enter into a contract for a public-private partnership to build and finance a new Calcasieu River Bridge on Interstate 10 in Lake Charles.
The Louisiana Joint Transportation and Highway and Public Works Committee gave its approval for the proposals. The bridge was built in 1952 and needs to be replaced to meet todayâs federal highway standards.
This project will extend from the I-10/I-210 west interchange to the Ryan Street exit ramp on the east side of the bridge. The Calcasieu River Bridge and the interstate within the project limits will be reconstructed to ensure that the vertical clearance, horizontal alignment, sight distances and other road and bridge elements meet current design criteria.
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