Governor Edwards Introduces $85 Million Bill to Build A New I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge

On August 23, 2019, Governor John Bel Edwards announced an $85 million capital outlay bill to help fund the replacement of the I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge near Lake Charles in Calcasieu Parish.

Governor John Bel Edwards said:

“On his visit to this region in May, President Trump made a commitment to fund this bridge. Today on one of my many trips to this region, I am happy to announce DOTD and the Division of Administration are taking steps, at my direction, to introduce the 2020 Capital Outlay bill with $85 million in general obligation funds to ensure Louisiana is prepared and ready to move forward. These funds will be ready and available to work with our federal partners when they determine their share of the project. This funding commitment is real and positions the state to take full advantage of that offer.”

DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson, Ph.D also commented on the matter saying:

“By having the funding in place the state has begun the process of soliciting a consultant for the innovative delivery of this project.”

The I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge opened in 1952 and was meant to be a Highway 90 bridge with pdedestrian walkways. The federal goverment promised to replace the bridge when they took it over as an interstate bridge. The bridge has since been deemed structurally deficient and functionally obsolete.