I-10 Clearance Bar Mystery Solved: Who Put Up the Magnets?

Westlake, LA [KNGT] - The I-10 clearance bar in Westlake is gone, but the story behind one of the area's most entertaining roadside attractions has finally ended. We now know the official number of times oversized vehicles hit the bar, and the identity of the mystery person who kept track with magnets.

So, why was the clearance bar there in the first place?

The bar was installed after the westbound I-10 exit into Westlake was temporarily closed for construction. During the project, drivers heading west on I-10 from Westlake had to travel south on Sampson Street, pass underneath the I-10 bridge, and drive through the clearance bar designed to prevent oversized trucks and RVs from striking the bridge.

After about a year, the construction work was completed, the westbound exit reopened, and the clearance bar was officially retired.

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But before its retirement, the bar became a local sensation.

Whenever a big truck, 18-wheeler, or RV struck the bar, photos of the collision quickly appeared on social media. What started as an occasional mishap became such a frequent occurrence that an I-10 Clearance Bar Facebook page was created, and someone also began placing magnets on the bar to mark the latest hit count.

The mystery surrounding the person behind those magnets only added to the fun. Who was keeping score? And just how many times had the bar been struck?

Now, we finally have answers.

We tracked down the person responsible for placing the magnets on the clearance bar and asked for the final tally. The mystery is solved, and the official hit count is finally revealed.

Interesting Facts About the Current I-10 Bridge

The actual name of the I-10 bridge is the Louisiana Memorial World War II Bridge, which was named in June of 1951.

The bridge opened in 1952 to traffic

The ironwork with crossed guns on the railings is believed to be a reference to Jean Lafitte and the pirates who came to Lake Charles at one time.

So, who was behind the magnets, and what was the final count? His name is Gage Smith, and he is from Moss Bluff. Here's what he told us.

The last count was 47, but the actual number is WAY higher. I only counted the ones that are reported.

The clearance bar may be gone, but its legacy lives on in Westlake's memories and social media history.

These are Some of the Scariest Bridges in the United States

Do you have gephyrophobia? It's a serious issue that can alter travel plans at any given time. These bridges are some of the scariest in the country to avoid if you have anxiety issues. There are a number of scary bridges in America, but it really comes down to what scares you most, height, water, or both.

Gallery Credit: Barb Birgy