Ground Broken on New I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge in Lake Charles

Lake Charles, Louisiana - A project people in Southwest Louisiana have been waiting on for decades is finally underway. Louisiana leaders gathered on Wednesday in Lake Charles to break ground on the new Interstate 10 bridge over the Calcasieu River.

“This is one of the most anticipated projects in our state’s history,” said DOTD Secretary Glenn Ledet. “It marks a major transformation of our highway system.”

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Details on the New I-10 Bridge in Lake Charles

The new bridge will be bigger, safer, and built for today’s traffic. Plans call for six main travel lanes and two extra lanes to help ease congestion. There will also be better lighting and a lower bridge design to improve safety.

According to project officials, key features of the new bridge and corridor include:

• Six travel lanes and two auxiliary lanes for improved safety and traffic flow
• Roadway lighting and a reduction in bridge height for a more modern design
• Elevated overpass at Sampson Street to eliminate train-related delays

Lake Charles Mayor Marshall Simien said the project is about more than just traffic. “It’s not just steel and concrete,” Simien said. “It’s a bridge of commerce, a bridge of connection, and a bridge to the future.”

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The project will cost about $2.3 billion. About half of the money will come from state and federal funding. The rest will be paid through tolls using the GeauxPass system. Tolls are expected to last for up to 50 years, with some of the money going back to the state for future projects.

During the groundbreaking press conference, Governor Landry said he plans to ask President Donald Trump for more federal money to help ease the cost on Louisiana residents for the new bridge.

“Every dollar from this bridge should go back into improving infrastructure right here in this region," said Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry.

Here's a look at two videos that show what Eastbound and Westbound traffic will look like with the new bridge...

Here is a look at some of the photos of what the bridge is expected to look like...