Groundbreaking on historic I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge Replacement Project

Ground has officially been broken on the long-awaited Interstate 10 Calcasieu River Bridge Replacement Project in Louisiana. The ceremony marks the official commencement of construction on a multi-billion-dollar Public-Private Partnership (P3) designed to modernize one of the most critical infrastructure corridors in the United States.

“This bridge has been a promise of the Landry Administration since day one and I am proud to fulfill it today,” said Governor Jeff Landry. “This project marks the largest transportation infrastructure investment in Louisiana history. This is an exciting day for Calcasieu Parish and for the entire State, and I am already looking forward to the ribbon cutting just a few years from now!”

The $2.3B project will replace the existing 1950s-era Calcasieu River Bridge with a state-of-the-art structure engineered to meet 21st-century demands. While the new bridge is under construction, the current bridge and its connecting ramps will undergo strategic upgrades to ensure continued service until the new bridge opens in 2031.

The corridor will feature expanded capacity and modern engineering standards, with three travel lanes in each direction addressing the structural and functional limitations of the current bridge. Construction activities will ramp up immediately following today’s ceremony.

Beyond the bridge itself, the comprehensive project includes:

• Reconstruction of 5.5 miles of I-10 to replace aging roadway and multiple other bridges.
• Addition of a travel lane on I-10 in each direction to increase capacity and eliminate the existing bottlenecks.
• Construction of a new elevated Sampson Street interchange to eliminate railroad crossings and facilitate predictable travel.
• Creation of an eastbound service road system between PPG Drive and Sampson Street to reduce congestion and weaving on I-10.
• Reconstruction of the I-210 westbound ramp for enhanced safety and capacity.
• Inclusion of a $10M Active Transportation allowance to create new facilities for pedestrians and cyclists around the bridge.
• Dedicated maintenance of the new roadway and bridge for a 50-year term.

This massive undertaking requires unprecedented coordination between local industry, railroads, utility providers, and all levels of government.

The innovative P3 funding model allows for expedited construction timelines and private investment. Notably, the State of Louisiana maintains a 15-percent equity share in the tolling revenues generated by the project, which will provide for continued infrastructure investment in the region.

More than just a local thoroughfare, this corridor is the backbone of the U.S. energy sector. The project guarantees reliable, uninterrupted access for U.S. natural gas and petroleum to reach Gulf ports and supply the global market which is helping ensure the nation’s energy dominance. It is estimated to bring $3.29B in economic impact to the region, create more than 16,000 jobs during the project’s lifecycle, and $1.9B in labor income.

Motorists are encouraged to stay informed of project updates and potential traffic shifts by visiting the official project website at I10CalcasieuBridge.com and following the project’s social media channels.

Members of the CBP team include:

• Lead developer and equity member: Plenary Americas
• Equity members: ACCIONA and Sacyr
• Design-Build Joint Venture: ACCIONA and Sacyr
• Tolling Operator: Kapsch
• Operations & Maintenance: Plenary Americas, ACCIONA and Sacyr

Media Contact:

Rodney Mallett
LA DOTD Communications
225-329-9743
Rodney.mallett@la.gov