Calcasieu Parish jurors hear $2.3 billion I-10 Calcasieu Bridge update; tolling set for 2031

The Calcasieu Parish Police Jury on Sept. 4 heard a detailed update on the I-10 Calcasieu Bridge Project from Jonathan S. Hill, public information manager for the project, including a visualization video and a timeline showing traffic shifting to the new alignment in February 2030 and tolling beginning Aug. 2031.

Hill said the 5.5-mile corridor replacement will include six travel lanes, two auxiliary lanes, an elevated Sampson Street overpass to avoid train delays, enhanced lighting that references the existing bridge arch, and a reduced bridge height estimated between 75 and 95 feet. He described the project as "a $2,300,000,000 investment into Southwest Louisiana" and said construction will proceed in four segments with major construction anticipated to start in early 2026.

The development and delivery structure described to the jury lists the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) as owner, an owners-verification partnership (GEC and HNTB) for compliance, and Calcasieu Bridge Partners as the developer — a special-purpose vehicle made up of Axiona (30%), Sincere (30%) and Plenary (40%). The design and build work will be performed by a JV between Axiona and Sincere, operating as Louisiana Bridge Builders. Hill also identified Raquel Garcia as project director and Sean Lynn as stakeholder and commercial manager for the JV.

Hill said the interim design is approximately 60% complete, utility relocations (to a common duct bank) and geotechnical work are underway, and right-of-way acquisition is in an early phase: "There are roughly 19 impacted parcels" that require full acquisition and about 10 parcels expected to require partial takings. He said the developer assumed operation and maintenance of the corridor in February and will maintain most corridor assets under a 50-year concession through August 2081; DOTD retains responsibility for operating and maintaining the existing bridge until the new structure is complete.

Jurors asked several questions during the presentation. Juror Brian Abshire raised a safety concern about recent simultaneous closures of I-10 and I-210, saying a courier delivering test results to a Sulphur hospital was delayed and a patient waited for surgery. DOTD district administrator Seth Woods called closing both bridges at once "a last resort for DOTD" and said inspections uncovered maintenance that required immediate attention. Woods told jurors DOTD will prioritize safety and work with project partners to mitigate traffic impacts by monitoring detours, adjusting signal timing and placing staff on-site during early closures.

Juror Smith asked whether the southern portion near the Horseshoe Casino would see direct improvements and whether construction would harm local businesses. Project staff said they are obligated to maintain business access during construction but acknowledged Sampson Street businesses could face negative impacts during work, and the team is evaluating detour options.

Hill closed by directing jurors and the public to the project website (i10calcasieubridge.com) for videos, a procurement portal, and a monthly newsletter. He said some early works — including a pipe-rack relocation and a temporary access road — would begin immediately and that a westbound closure at the Westlake Ramp Exit 27 was expected that night to allow the pipe-rack work.

The presentation and Q&A concluded with jurors thanking the project team and the jury moving on to routine agenda items.