Lake Charles, Louisiana - The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LaDOTD) has scheduled an overnight lane closure on Interstate 10 Westbound in Lake Charles for late February 2026, as crews work to install missing light poles along a busy stretch of highway.
According to LaDOTD, the right lane of I-10 Westbound will be closed between Exit 30A (North Lakeshore Drive) and the North Lakeshore Drive on-ramp from 8 p.m. Monday, February 23, 2026, to 5 a.m. Tuesday, February 24, 2026.
During the same time frame, the left lane of the North Lakeshore Drive service road will also be closed. However, transportation officials state that the on-ramp to I-10 Westbound from North Lakeshore Drive will remain open, allowing drivers to continue to access the interstate.
LaDOTD reports that the closure is necessary to erect missing light poles in the area. These lighting improvements are part of ongoing efforts to maintain and enhance roadway safety and visibility along the Interstate 10 corridor through Lake Charles in Calcasieu Parish.
The work is scheduled as an overnight operation to reduce impacts on daily traffic and commuters. The agency notes that all work will be weather permitting, meaning the schedule could change if conditions are not suitable for crews to safely install the poles and operate equipment.
Drivers traveling through Lake Charles on I-10 Westbound during the closure window should be prepared for:
- A single-lane traffic pattern between Exit 30A and the North Lakeshore Drive on-ramp
- Possible slower traffic through the work zone
- Lane shifts and the presence of workers and equipment near the roadway
Motorists using the North Lakeshore Drive service road should also expect delays, as only one lane will be open while the left lane is closed.
Transportation officials typically encourage drivers to:
- Allow extra travel time during lane closures
- Reduce speed in work zones
- Stay alert for changing traffic patterns
While no official detours have been announced for this specific project window, drivers who wish to avoid potential congestion near North Lakeshore Drive can consider leaving earlier than usual or using alternate routes in the Lake Charles area, depending on their destination.
Interstate 10 is a major east-west route across Louisiana, and Lake Charles serves as a key connection point in Southwest Louisiana for local, regional, and interstate traffic. Lighting upgrades along this section of I-10 are intended to improve long-term safety for both passenger vehicles and commercial trucks using the corridor.