![]() Southwest Louisiana businessman Keith DuRousseau chairs the Task Force. In February 2018, the Chamber SWLA Board of Directors approved a resolution to allow the task force to work on the project beyond the development of financing recommendations. Since then, the group has investigated the history of the bridge and efforts to replace it, examined possible funding methods, heard from consultants and government officials and considered public policy, strategic plan development and governmental affairs strategies. Task force members held their first meeting in October 2017. This is our version of an infrastructure policy dream team,” said George Swift, President and CEO of the Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance and Chamber SWLA. Our task force is comprised of area leaders who are talented and skilled in problem solving. “America and our region deserve a new Interstate 10 Bridge. It is also home to a top ten port, world-class pipeline system, multiple rail service providers, regional and international airports, and gaming resort hotels.īy creating the task force, the Chamber SWLA is taking a leadership role in advocating for a new bridge. Currently, Southwest Louisiana is home to over $100 billion in announced new and expanding industrial facilities. The need for a new bridge in southwest Louisiana is especially important because the region is the epicenter of America’s liquefied natural gas renaissance. In an April, 2018 press release ATM stated that “The I-10 bridge is an ideal example of the need of the federal government and states and private investors to work together to modernize America’s infrastructure.” Their goal is to advocate for a top-grade American infrastructure system. Members of the ATM Coalition come from business, labor and union sectors, transportation stakeholders, and the public. The Americans for Transportation Mobility (ATM) Coalition ( ) - which includes the United States Chamber of Commerce - has announced that the I-10/Calcasieu River Bridge needs to be replaced and funding must be made available. Studies by the National Bridge Inventory and Louisiana officials have established that the bridge does not meet traffic capacity standards which can impede commerce and create safety concerns.Ĭhallenges to the replacement of the bridge include the federal and state’s infrastructure funding process, environmental considerations, current and anticipated traffic patterns, as well as debate over bridge height and the relocation of an existing railroad line. The bridge is located in the middle of the Interstate 10 corridor which stretches between California and Florida and its replacement is paramount to the continued vitality of America’s energy, petro-chemical, marine, tourism and transportation sectors.īuilt in 1952, the I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge, located in Lake Charles, Louisiana, has outlived its structural capacity and usefulness in today’s fast paced national and international business climate. The group’s first goal is to generate project financing recommendations which will be forwarded to state and federal officials to expedite the process. We beseech the state legislature and Governor Edwards to allow for continued dialogue and negotiations with the chosen developer in order for us to find a path to tolls that are more reasonable.Chamber SWLA officials have announced the creation of a task force as part of its effort to facilitate the replacement of the Interstate 10/Calcasieu River Bridge. If a toll for this bridge is unavoidable and necessary, the tolls suggested in this current proposal are higher than anticipated. We are all united that we would prefer a scenario with no toll at all however, we need to see this bridge built. A vital economic and transportation conduit for the entire Gulf Coast, a new I-10 Bridge can provide for decades of sustainability for Southwest Louisiana. “The proposed I-10 Bridge project has been decades in the making and we firmly believe a new bridge is warranted and necessary. The following is a statement from CPPJ President Chris Landry, Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter, Sulphur mayor Mike Danahay and Westlake Mayor Hal McMillin: ![]() To see DOTD’s press release, click Louisiana Department of Transportation & Development (la.gov) Local officials from the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury, the cities of Lake Charles, Westlake and Sulphur have released a joint statement on the Interstate 10 Calcasieu River Bridge project, after DOTD announced plans for the project this morning.
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