I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge Project

The existing bridge over the Calcasieu River is part of Interstate 10 (I-10) in Louisiana, which connects the towns of Lake Charles and Westlake. The current infrastructure is more than 70 years old and is unable to meet the needs of current traffic volumes.

The scope of the new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge project includes:

• Design and construction of a new eight-lane bridge over the Calcasieu River with three travel lanes and one auxiliary lane in each direction.
• Modification and relocation of existing roadways and interchanges.
• Demolition and removal of the existing Calcasieu River Bridge once traffic is transferred to the new bridge.
• Operations and maintenance of the new bridge and associated roadway.
• Roadside and back-office systems for toll revenue collection that is interoperable with existing LA tolling systems and the Central States US Hub.
• Tolling operations, including a customer service center.

Sustainability features

CBP is providing a 50% discounted HOV toll rate during peak hours for cars with three passengers or more, helping to promote carpooling and reduce carbon emissions in the area.

Design features

CBP’s bridge design primarily features pre-cast, prestressed concrete girders with cast-in-place composite concrete decks, selected for their aesthetic versatility, durability, and efficiency.

To honor the heritage of the existing I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge, new lighting will mirror the shape of the original trusses, and pylons with a metal truss pattern will display sculptures of crossed pistols, preserving key characteristics of the original structure.

The new bridge is designed to minimize right-of-way impacts and reduce inconvenience to travelers during construction.

Innovations

The roadside electronic toll collection system is designed for efficient, free-flowing toll transactions within the collection zone. To enhance the motorist experience, users can choose from various methods for queries or feedback, including integrated voice response, a dedicated website, or speaking directly with a customer service agent over the phone. This multi-channel approach aims to ensure a smooth and positive experience for all bridge users.

Local economic impacts & community benefits

CBP is providing a steeply discounted $0.25 toll for Local Vehicles, helping to lessen the burden on those who use the bridge most. CBP’s team includes various Louisiana-based design consultants and contractors. Throughout the project, CBP will actively seek opportunities for qualified Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) to contribute, with a DBE Manager assigned to oversee the implementation of the DBE plan. The delivery plan features DBE outreach events to generate local interest and job fairs to recruit qualified individuals for project positions. This strategy aims to strengthen the local economy by creating job opportunities and involving local businesses in the project.