I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge Update: DEIS, Public Hearing, Preferred Alt Selected

[The Road Warrior]

I may not live long enough to drive on the new bridge when it is finally completed, but I'm sure there will be some very, very happy people rolling through Lake Charles not having to poop bricks crossing Calcasieu Lake.

Most people will probably avoid the new bridge anyway and just take the 210 bridge because the new bridge will be tolled.

[Anthony_JK]

Not really....tolls will be significantly less, if not free, for local Lake Charles and Westlake residents who can prove local residence. The bulk of the tolls will be placed on through travelers and commercial haulers; they would be the ones possibly shunpiking to I-210.

It would be a nice idea if LADOTD made GeauxPass compatible with other transponder services, though.

[Chris]

https://www.i10calcasieubridge.com/

"Construction start Mar 2026"

Is construction underway now?

[ElishaGOtis]

https://www.i10calcasieubridge.com/

"Construction start Mar 2026"

Is construction underway now?

The work zone signs are at least up.

[The Road Warrior]

Not really....tolls will be significantly less, if not free, for local Lake Charles and Westlake residents who can prove local residence. The bulk of the tolls will be placed on through travelers and commercial haulers; they would be the ones possibly shunpiking to I-210.

It would be a nice idea if LADOTD made GeauxPass compatible with other transponder services, though.

Once again, most people will take the other bridge than pay tolls. Because why pay tolls at all when there is a free alternative only a few miles away? Mobile, Alabama has the same issue; they are building a tolled bridge to supplement the existing I-10 tunnel. Notice I said "supplement". The old tunnel will remain in place, and continue to be free. So which one do you think most people will take? I don't know what it is with the poorest states in the Union thinking they can toll crossings with free alternatives readily available, on a major East-West corridor to boot.

[bwana39]

Not really....tolls will be significantly less, if not free, for local Lake Charles and Westlake residents who can prove local residence. The bulk of the tolls will be placed on through travelers and commercial haulers; they would be the ones possibly shunpiking to I-210.

It would be a nice idea if LADOTD made GeauxPass compatible with other transponder services, though.

Once again, most people will take the other bridge than pay tolls. Because why pay tolls at all when there is a free alternative only a few miles away? Mobile, Alabama has the same issue; they are building a tolled bridge to supplement the existing I-10 tunnel. Notice I said "supplement". The old tunnel will remain in place, and continue to be free. So which one do you think most people will take? I don't know what it is with the poorest states in the Union thinking they can toll crossings with free alternatives readily available, on a major East-West corridor to boot.

In DFW and Houston, early on the toll roads were fairly poorly traveled. 18-wheeler traffic was particularly low. Now, the commercial vehicles almost always use the toll roads. The poor people of the poor state will likely run away. I agree it is only around 3 miles (and 5 minutes) longer on I-210. There will likely be a large discount for the locals. It may detour some fo the traffic, but I feel confident that the majority will still follow I-10 across the toll bridge after it opens.