Lake Charles, from LADOTD – Today, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development announced plans to move forward with soliciting a developer for the I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge Public-Private Partnership (P3) Project in Lake Charles.

“Earlier today, DOTD began the process of issuing a Notice of Intent (NOI), seeking interested partnerships for the state’s third P3 project,” said Secretary Shawn D. Wilson, Ph.D. “This department is committed to using innovative procurement methods and following industry best practices for infrastructure projects to meet the needs of our motorists and communities.”

With the support of Governor John Bel Edwards, DOTD pursued approval of the Louisiana Joint Transportation, Highway and Public Works Committee. The recommendation to procure a public-private partner to deliver this project was approved on December 16, 2020.

The limits of the P3 project extend from the I-10/I-210 west interchange to the Ryan Street exit ramp on the east side of the bridge. The major elements of work consist of:

• Replacement of the Calcasieu River Bridge
• Reconfiguration of interchanges
• Interstate widening
• Complex maintenance of traffic and sequence of construction in a congested and confined urban freeway environment
• Demolition of the existing bridge
• Tolling and back-office services
• Railroad relocation
• Right-of-Way appraisal and acquisition services
• Utility coordination and relocation

Currently, this project is in the environmental phase. Three alternatives have been identified and will be evaluated in the Environmental Impact Statement. A fourth public meeting for the entire corridor will be scheduled in spring 2021 to present preliminary findings that will determine which of these alternatives is preferred. A Record of Decision is anticipated by early 2022.

Letters of interest are due by March 2, 2021. The NOI for this project can be found here.