Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Infrastructure Bridge topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Groundbreaking begins for $2.3 billion I‑10 Calcasieu River bridge replacement in Lake Charles
Summary
Officials and industry partners marked the start of construction on the I‑10 Calcasieu River replacement bridge, a $2.3 billion public‑private project officials said will ease congestion on a corridor that carries roughly 90,000 daily trips and support regional freight and energy exports.
Lake Charles — State and federal officials, local leaders and private partners on Friday celebrated the formal start of construction on the I‑10 Calcasieu River Bridge replacement, a project the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development described as a $2,300,000,000 investment in the region.
"This project is not only a new modern bridge and widened interstate system on the nationally significant I‑10 corridor, but also marks a $2,300,000,000 investment in our state and region," Glenn Laday, secretary of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, told the assembled crowd.
Why it matters: Officials said the 1952 bridge behind the ceremony now carries roughly 90,000 trips per day and has become a bottleneck for local traffic and freight moving along a coast‑to‑coast corridor. Federal and state leaders framed the replacement as critical to safety, commerce and the region’s role in energy exports.
Federal role and funding: Federal Highway Administrator Sean McMaster called the project a model public‑private (p3) delivery and highlighted recent federal support. "We sent $1,000,000,000 back to Louisiana to fix your roads and highways," McMaster said, adding the federal government had directed large bridge awards and other bridge and highway funding to the state.
Political and local endorsements: Video messages from U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson and Congressman Clay Higgins underscored the project's national and local support. Emcees and speakers credited Higgins with helping secure a $150,000,000 federal mega grant in support of the project.
Local timeline and tolling: Westlake Mayor Hal McMillan said partners told him motorists should be driving on the new bridge by the fourth quarter of 2030 and that tolling would not begin until 2031. "They're telling me we'll be driving on the new bridge ... by the 4th quarter of 2030," McMillan said. He also discussed local plans to seek ways to reduce toll costs for residents.
Private partner commitments: Paul Andre, CEO of Calcasieu Bridge Partners, described safety as the team's "number one priority" and pledged to rely on local contractors, suppliers and clear communication to minimize disruption during construction.
Governor’s remarks and oversight: Governor Jeff Landry praised the multi‑year effort, emphasized transparency and accountability in negotiations, and framed the project as part of a broader state push to accelerate infrastructure. Landry also said the arrangement gives local residents a stake in long‑term infrastructure funding through the planned tolling structure.
What’s next: The ceremonial groundbreaking marked the start of on‑site construction activities; officials and project partners provided projected milestones including roadway and overpass work, and repeated that final traffic and tolling dates will depend on construction progress and financing. Hal McMillan and project representatives repeated the Q4 2030 driving estimate and a 2031 toll start date as planning targets.
Speakers at the ceremony included Glenn Laday; Mayor Marshall Simeon; Westlake Mayor Hal McMillan; Calcasieu Parish Police Jury President Bridal Absher; Federal Highway Administrator Sean McMaster; Calcasieu Bridge Partners CEO Paul Andre; Governor Jeff Landry; and video remarks from Speaker Mike Johnson and Congressman Clay Higgins.
