PROJECT OVERVIEW
The I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge Replacement Project is a 5.5-mile corridor stretching from Ryan Street to the I-210 and I-10 interchange in Westlake.
The current I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge predated the interstate, constructed under Governor Earl K. Long and opened to traffic in 1952 as part of US Highway 90. Approximately a decade later during the 1960s the bridge was incorporated into Interstate 10 (I-10).
This is a public-private partnership (P3) meaning that funding or the project is coming from federal, state and private sources as well as toll revenue.
The new bridge will include:
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Three 12' travel lanes
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One 12' auxiliary lane
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Enhanced lighting
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12' shoulders on both sides of the roadway
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Electronic tolling
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A reduction in height from 152 feet to 75-95 feet
The new bridge will be located north of the existing bridge and will cost approximately $2.3B. Construction will begin in 2026 and is anticipated to be completed in 2031.
A Public-Private Partnership (P3) is a collaborative agreement between a government agency and a private company to finance, build, and maintain large-scale infrastructure. For the I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge Replacement Project, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LA DOTD) has partnered with a private developer to design, construct, finance, and maintain the new bridge and the surrounding I-10 corridor.
This approach shifts major financial burdens and construction risks away from the state and taxpayers onto the private partner. By tapping into private capital rather than relying solely on traditional government funding, a P3 greatly accelerates the project. It allows the state to break ground sooner, guarantees long-term, high-quality maintenance, and delivers a safer, more reliable crossing years faster than conventional methods would allow.
WHAT IS A P3?
PROJECT TIMELINE
