LIDAR Scanning for I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge Replacement Project May 4 in Lake Charles

Lake Charles, LA – The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development has announced that on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, motorists may encounter slow moving traffic along portions of I-10 in Calcasieu Parish during non-peak hours. As part of the I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge Replacement project, this work is scheduled to survey I-10. Crews will be scanning I-10 between the Lakeshore Dr. entrance/exit ramps and Enterprise Blvd. with Mobile Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology.

LiDAR scanning is a surveying technique that uses laser lights to create digital 3-D representations of the intended target in order to measure distance. The Mobile LiDAR method is extremely cost effective for the state because it speeds up the Topography survey delivery schedule for DOTD designers, avoids multiple lane closures along the corridor, and reduces the number of conventional survey crews required to complete the survey. DOTD has used this technology in previous projects across the state, and it has proven to be an effective tool in the Topography Survey Process.

This activity will not result in any lane closures, but it will cause traffic to slow down due to state police blocking traffic, much like a funeral procession. The mobile LiDAR scanning will continue for a few hours as it drives along the surface streets and interstates near this project.

Weather permitting, surveying will take place during the day between peak hours, beginning around 9 a.m.