Site work, paving and renovation of a bridge / tunnel in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Working plans call for the renovation of a bridge / tunnel; for site work for a bridge / tunnel; and for paving for a bridge / tunnel.

https://www.ktiv.com/video/2026/05/13/current-upcoming-road-projects-by-ladotd/ Current and upcoming road projects by LADOTD ---------------- https://www.theadvocate.com/lake_charles/new-2-3b-i-10-calcasieu-river-bridge-project-officially-begins-see-the-timeline/article_7b96f873-6bde-4562-95db-421866cb7c17.html New $2.3B I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge project officially begins. See the timeline. With several studies and years of talking about replacing the 75-year-old Interstate 10 Calcasieu River Bridge, there will soon be a new bridge to cross as a new structure is set to open in four years. On Wednesday, Gov. Jeff Landry, federal government representatives and local officials in the Calcasieu Parish gathered in front of Lake Charles to break ground on the long-awaited new Interstate 10 bridge. “This bridge was project number one for me after you elected me,” Landry said. “I think that today is a turning point, not only for Lake Charles, not only for Calcasieu Parish, but it marks a turning point for the entire state. I've been trying to break as many records as I can, this is going to be the largest infrastructure project to date.” The $2.3 billion public-private partnership project is set to replace the current pistol-decorated bridge with one engineered to meet the changing demands. Built in 1952, the current bridge initially had an average daily traffic count of about 30,000 vehicles. Today, that number is closer to 90,000. In a video message to event attendees, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Mike Johnson said the new bridge is needed to keep up with growth in the area. “It's a life-changing situation, a life-changing thing for many citizens and businesses in southwest Louisiana, but also for our entire country,” Johnson said. “As you know, southwest Louisiana accounts for much of our nation's LNG exports, and we certainly need key infrastructure to support American energy dominance and national security. This bridge will drastically improve safety for the over 90,000 daily drivers and support the region's rapid economic growth we're all so excited for.” A news release from the Calcasieu Bridge Project states that major construction is set to begin soon after the ground breaking, with an increase in equipment, materials and workers in the project corridor. As of now, the new bridge is anticipated to be open to drivers in 2030 with all of the construction completed in 2031. In addition to the bridge, the project will see other work, including reconstruction of 5.5 miles of I-10, an additional travel lane in each direction, construction of an elevated Sampson Street interchange to eliminate railroad crossing, new facilities for pedestrians and cyclists around the bridge as well as maintenance for the new roadway and bridge for 50 years. “We're not just building a bridge,” Calcasieu Bridge Partners CEO Paulo Andre said. “We're building trust with this community, the same community we already belong to today and for 50 years to come. We know you are entrusting us with a vital piece of your daily lives and our job isn't just to finish the project, it’s to do it right." Lake Charles Mayor Marshall Simien said the bridge is not just steel and concrete, but is a symbol of many things. “It's a bridge of commerce, this entire area was built because of the commerce that comes over this area,” Simien said. “It's a bridge of connection, it connects the west side of the Calcasieu River to the east side the Calcasieu River. It makes us all one, but it's also a bridge to the future. It's a bridge to the future of southwest Louisiana and to what we call home.“ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The project is a 5.5-mile corridor stretching from near Ryan Street in Lake Charles to the I-210 and I-10 interchange in Westlake. Along with the new bridge and approaches, the project includes the interstate roadways and ramps, the I-10 service roads, and interchanges at PPG Drive, Sampson Street, and North Lakeshore/Ryan Street that connect the interstate to state roads and local streets. Sampson Street will be elevated over the railroad tracks to eliminate blockages from trains. As of March 2, 2026, construction is expected to start in the spring of 2026.