Frequently Asked Questions

Below are a few items that the I-10 Bridge Task Force hopes will answer some of the community’s questions.

Submit your questions to the Task Force by clicking here.

Why do we need a new bridge?
The Calcasieu River Bridge currently averages more than 90,000 vehicles per day. It was built to manage a maximum of 37,000 vehicles daily. The combined traffic on both bridges was in excess of 136,000 per day in 2016. Day-long congestion surpasses that of the Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge during peak travel hours. Once complete, the new bridge will add two additional lanes of travel through this congested area.

The Calcasieu River Bridge is presently rated 6.6 out of 100 by the National Bridge Inventory. If it fails or is taken out of service, all I-10 traffic would have to cross the I-210 Bridge. This would be devastating to both our economy and our quality of life.
Where will the new bridge be located?
The Task Force, elected officials, local business and industry have determined that a route due north of the existing bridge with elevated access into Westlake over the railroad is the most efficient and reasonable. After multiple meetings and communication with LA DOTD, the agency also agrees with this location.
How is an infrastructure project like a bridge typically funded?
Infrastructure funding varies. In this instance, the bridge is part of the federal interstate system. These projects have previously been funded by states contributing 10% of the cost and the federal government funding the balance. States have relied upon various means to amass their share, including taxation and federal loan and grant programs (e.g., TIFIA (Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act) and Garvee (Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicles) bonds). Other funding sources include Public-Private Partnerships (P3s), infrastructure banks, bond issues, and user fees.

Public-Private Partnerships involve contractual arrangements between the governing authority and private firms that perform all or some of the design, construction, and financing aspects of a project in return for which the private firm is repaid out of income from the project (user fees, tolls, etc.)

With infrastructure banks, the bank is set up with initial seed money and then acts as a revolving investment fund that makes loans for infrastructure projects. The loan repayments go into the bank and then are used to make additional loans.

Bond issues are popular funding vehicles for state and local governments looking to finance capital projects, including infrastructure and public buildings. The agency that needs the money sells bonds to investors and then pays the principal plus interest back to those investors.
Who will own the bridge?
The state, not a private company, will retain ownership of the bridge regardless of which funding option is chosen.
How will the project help my community?
A new Calcasieu River Bridge will reduce congestion on Interstate 10, eliminate safety concerns about the current aging structure, save motorists time, and spur economic growth. The aesthetically pleasing bridge will also enhance the Lake Charles and Westlake skylines.
What is the status of the environmental process?
LA DOTD has been working on the Environmental Impact Statement for over 18 years and has been delayed numerous times. LA DOTD’s response to the FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) request indicates the agency stated in 2010 that environmental contamination is not a cause for delay of new bridge construction. As a result of the work of the Task Force, LA DOTD most recently (summer of 2019) committed to completing the EIS with all due speed.
What is the height/clearance of the proposed bridge?
That would be set by the Coast Guard, but our research has found that a clearance above the water of about 75 feet is what would likely be recommended. The existing bridge is 135 feet, or almost twice as high.
What is the estimated cost of a new Calcasieu River Bridge?
The approximate cost is estimated to be between $400-600 million if the project is undertaken via an innovative P3. The state’s project cost using its traditional delivery method is $800 million. Inflation will drive the estimate upward by approximately $25 million per year.
When will the construction start?
The Task Force believes a contract could be executed in 2020, depending on when the state issues RFPs.
How long will construction take?
We anticipate a construction phase (from driving pilings to completion) of less than 3 years.
Why include a cycling lane and pedestrian walkway?
The Task Force received recommendations from national bridge builders who have included these and similar amenities on other bridges and explained the advantages, which include access, tourism and community pride. We were advised that given the scope of the project, the increased cost to add a cycling lane and pedestrian walkway is very reasonable and would enhance downtown development.
Isn’t the grade too steep for it to be safe to use the pedestrian and cycling lane?
The new bridge will have a clearance above the water of about 75 feet, which will allow for safe use by pedestrian and cyclers in the designated lane.
What is a Public-Private Partnership?
A Public-Private Partnership (P3) is a long-term contract with a private developer to build, finance, operate, and maintain a bridge. If traditional funding from the state and federal government cannot be secured, the Task Force has asked the state to shift both the design and construction risk, as well as the long-term performance risks, to the developer in return for its ability to collect tolls on the bridge.
Will there be toll booths?
No. If tolling is part of the funding, an All Electronic Tolling (AET) system will be used. Vehicles will not have to slow down or stop. By eliminating the need for physical toll booths, traffic can be sustained at a free-flow pace, which increases safety and reduces vehicle idle times, thus reducing any negative impacts on the environment. Vehicle owners will either receive a bill in the mail or have the payment deducted from a designated account.
Where does the toll money go?
All toll revenue collected on the Calcasieu River Bridge would be directed to pay for the Calcasieu River Bridge, improvements to surrounding roadways, and for repaying investors.
Will there be a frequent user discount?
If tolling is part of the construction funding, the Task Force is committed to exploring frequent user/local discounts and to maintaining free routes, which include the I-210 Bridge.
Isn’t it illegal to collect tolls on an interstate highway?
The federal government will have to approve tolling the bridge, but this would not be the first interstate bridge to be tolled. In fact, the city of Mobile, Alabama, is planning to construct a $2 billion dollar bridge on I-10, and it will be tolled.
Why collect tolls when we already pay taxes for roads?
Plans to replace the bridge have been discussed for over 30 years. During this time, funding has not been allocated for our bridge. The State has spent its tax revenue on highway projects in more populated areas, and the Task Force and many citizens feel these were less critical to transportation. At the time of the initial release of the Task Force recommendations, tolling was the only option to fund a new bridge for the foreseeable future. Since that time, new opportunities and promises of funding have been given at the state and federal level. The Task Force is actively pursuing all funding options and combinations of options.
Will there be toll-free routes?
The I-210 Bridge would remain toll-free.
Will the construction project use small and/or local businesses?
The I-10 Bridge Task Force is committed to requiring that the project bring jobs to the community.
What is a concessionaire?
A concessionaire is the private company that LA DOTD will enter into a contract with to design, build, finance, operate, and maintain the Calcasieu River Bridge.
What is the role of the concessionaire during the contract?
The concessionaire’s responsibilities include design and construction, maintenance of the bridge, operation and maintenance of the toll system, financing the project, and repaying lenders and equity investors.
Is it true a foreign company could own the bridge if a P3 partnership is used for funding?
No. The state would maintain ownership of the bridge regardless of how it is constructed or funded.
Are there any indirect traffic impacts from tolling?
Yes. If tolling is used, it is anticipated that some traffic will divert to the free route (the I-210 Bridge).

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are a few items that the I-10 Bridge Task Force hopes will answer some of the community’s questions.

Why do we need a new bridge?

The Calcasieu River Bridge currently averages more than 90,000 vehicles per day. It was built to manage a maximum of 37,000 vehicles daily. The combined traffic on both bridges was in excess of 136,000 per day in 2016. Day-long congestion surpasses that of the Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge during peak travel hours. Once complete, the new bridge will add two additional lanes of travel through this congested area. The Calcasieu River Bridge is presently rated 6.6 out of 100 by the National Bridge Inventory. If it fails or is taken out of service, all I-10 traffic would have to cross the I-210 Bridge. This would be devastating to both our economy and our quality of life.

Where will the new bridge be located?

The Task Force, elected officials, local business and industry have determined that a route due north of the existing bridge with elevated access into Westlake over the railroad is the most efficient and reasonable. After multiple meetings and communication with LA DOTD, the agency also agrees with this location.

How is an infrastructure project like a bridge typically funded?

Who will own the bridge?

The state will retain ownership of the bridge, not a private company, regardless of which funding option is chosen.

How will the project help my community?

A new Calcasieu River Bridge will reduce congestion on Interstate 10, eliminate safety concerns about the current aging structure, save motorists time, and spur economic growth. The aesthetically pleasing bridge will also enhance the Lake Charles and Westlake skylines.

What is the status of the environmental process?

LADOTD has been working on the Environmental Impact Statement for over 18 years and has been delayed numerous times. LA DOTD’s response to FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) request indicates the agency stated in 2010 that environmental contamination is not a cause for delay of new bridge construction. As a result of the work of the Task Force, LA DOTD most recently (summer of 2019) committed to completing the EIS with all due speed.

What is the height/clearance of the proposed bridge?

That would be set by the Coast Guard, but our research has found that a clearance above the water of about 75 feet is what would likely be recommended. The existing bridge is 135 feet, or almost twice as high.

What is the cost of the Calcasieu River Bridge?

The approximate cost is estimated to be between $400-600 Million if the project is undertaken via an innovative P3. The State’s project cost using its traditional delivery method is $800 Million. Inflation will drive the estimate upward by approximately $25 million per year.

When will the construction start?

The Task Force believes a contract could be executed in 2020, depending on when the state issue RFPs.

How long will construction take?

We anticipate a construction phase (from driving pilings to completion) of less than 3 years.

Why include a cycling lane and pedestrian walkway?

The Task Force received recommendations from national bridge builders who have included these and similar amenities on other bridges and explained the advantages, which include access, tourism and community pride. We were advised that given the scope of the project, the increased cost to add a cycling lane and pedestrian walkway is very reasonable and would enhance downtown development.

Isn’t the grade too steep for it to be safe to use the pedestrian and cycling lane?

The new bridge will have a clearance above the water of about 75 feet, which will allow for safe use by pedestrian and cyclers in the designated lane.

What is a Public Private Partnership?

A Public Private Partnership (P3) is a long-term contract with a private developer to build, finance, operate, and maintain a bridge. If traditional funding from the state and federal government cannot be secured, the Task Force has asked the state to shift both the design and construction risk, as well as the long-term performance risks, to the developer in return for its ability to collect tolls on the bridge.

Will there be toll booths?

No. If tolling is part of the funding, an All Electronic Tolling (AET) system will be used. Vehicles will not have to slow down or stop. By eliminating the need for physical toll booths, traffic can be sustained at a free-flow pace, which increases safety and reduces vehicle idle times, thus reducing any negative impacts on the environment. Vehicle owners will either receive a bill in the mail or have the payment deducted from a designated account.

Where does the toll money go?

All toll revenue collected on the Calcasieu River Bridge would be directed to pay for the Calcasieu River Bridge and improvements to surrounding roadways and for repaying investors.

Will there be a frequent user discount?

The Task Force is committed to exploring frequent user/local discounts and to maintaining free alternative routes if tolling is part of the construction funding, which include the I-210 Bridge.

Isn’t it illegal to collect tolls on an interstate highway?

The federal government will have to approve tolling the bridge but this would not be the first interstate bridge to be tolled. In fact, the city of Mobile, Alabama, is planning to construct a $2 billion dollar bridge on I-10 and it will be tolled.

Why collect tolls when we already pay taxes for roads?

Plans to replace the bridge have been discussed for over 30 years. During this time, funding has not been allocated for our bridge. The State has spent its tax revenue on highway projects in more populated areas, and the Task Force and many citizens feel were less critical to transportation. At the time of the initial release of the Task Force recommendations, tolling was the only option to fund a new bridge for the foreseeable future. Since that time, new opportunities and promises of funding have been given at the state and federal level. The Task Force is actively pursuing all funding options, and combinations of options.

Will there be toll-free routes?

The I-210 Bridge would remain toll-free.

Where does the toll money go?

All toll revenue collected on the Calcasieu River Bridge would be directed to pay for the Calcasieu River Bridge, improvements to surrounding roadways required for bridge construction, and bridge maintenance.

Will the construction project use small and/or local businesses?

The I-10 Bridge Task Force is committed to requiring that the project bring jobs to the community.

What is a concessionaire?

A concessionaire is the private company that LADOTD will enter into a contract with to design, build, finance, operate, and maintain the Calcasieu River Bridge.

What is the role of the concessionaire during the contract?

The concessionaire’s responsibilities include design and construction; maintenance of the bridge; operation and maintenance of the toll system; financing the project; and repaying lenders and equity investors.

Is it true a foreign company could own the bridge if a P3 partnership is used for funding?

No. The state would maintain ownership of the bridge regardless of how it is constructed or funded.

Are there any indirect traffic impacts from tolling?

Yes. If tolling is used, it is anticipated that some traffic will divert to the free route (the I-210 Bridge).