Westlake, Louisiana - The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development will close the Interstate 10 West on-ramp at Sampson Street in Westlake beginning Thursday evening for bridge safety construction work.
The closure will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday, September 18, 2025, and continue until 5 a.m. Friday, September 19, 2025. One lane of the access road will also be closed during the same timeframe.
Construction crews will install a new protective bridge warning structure on the access road during the overnight closure. The warning structure is designed to prevent vehicles that exceed height limits from striking the bridge.
Work will proceed weather permitting, according to the transportation department. Rain or severe weather conditions could delay the installation and extend the closure timeline.
Drivers who typically use the Interstate 10 West on-ramp at Sampson Street will need to follow a detour route during the closure period. The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development has established an alternate route that requires motorists to initially travel in the opposite direction.
The official detour directs drivers to use the Interstate 10 East on-ramp and cross the Calcasieu River Bridge. Once across the bridge, motorists should exit at Lakeshore Drive and loop around to North Lakeshore Drive, where they can access the Interstate 10 West on-ramp.
Transportation officials have installed detour signage along the route to guide drivers through the alternate path. The signage is designed to help motorists navigate the temporary route change without confusion.
The Sampson Street on-ramp serves as a key access point for Westlake residents and commuters traveling west on Interstate 10. The highway corridor carries significant traffic volumes between Lake Charles and Texas destinations.
Bridge warning structures have become increasingly important as transportation officials work to prevent crashes involving over-height vehicles. These protective systems typically include sensors and warning signs that alert drivers when their vehicles are too tall to safely pass under a bridge.
Motorists should allow additional travel time when using the detour route, as the alternate path covers a longer distance than the direct on-ramp access. The detour requires crossing the Calcasieu River Bridge and making several turns before reaching the westbound Interstate 10 lanes.