State officials announced Tuesday that Calcasieu Bridge Partners for negotiations for the $2.1 billion Interstate 10 Calcasieu River Bridge public-private partnership project.
A release from Gov. John Bel Edwards and DOTD states that two proposals were received for the project in June and after evaluation, CBP was chosen.
The release states that Calcasieu Bridge Partners is a joint venture of Plenary Americas US Holdings, Inc., Sacyr Infrastructure USA LLC, and Acciona Concesiones S.L.
According to filings with the Secretary of State's Office, Calcasieu Bridge Partners is a Delaware corporation with its base office in Los Angeles. The two officers listed are Stuart Marks of Los Angeles and Brian Budden of Ontario. An internet search indicates that Marks is the co-head of project structuring and investment for Plenary Americas. Budden's LinkedIn profile states he is President and CEO of Plenary Americas. The company's website describes it as "a leading long-term investor, developer and manager of public infrastructure."
We also received the following joint statement from Calcasieu Parish Police Jury President Chris Landry, Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter, Sulphur mayor Mike Danahay and Westlake Mayor Hal McMillin:
“The proposed I-10 Bridge project has been decades in the making and we firmly believe a new bridge is warranted and necessary. 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.
We are all united that we would prefer a scenario with no toll at all; however, we need to see this bridge built. If a toll for this bridge is unavoidable and necessary, the tolls suggested in this current proposal are higher than anticipated. 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.”
The proposed project is a 5.5-mile corridor going from near Ryan Street in Lake Charles to the I-210 and I-10 interchange on the west side of Lake Charles. It will be a toll bridge; tolls will be collected after the bridge is complete, the release states.
In addition to a new bridge and approaches, the project includes the interstate roadways and ramps, the I-10 service roads, and interchanges at PPG Drive, Sampson Street, and North Lakeshore/Ryan Street that connect the interstate to state roads and local streets. Sampson Street will be elevated over the railroad tracks to eliminate blockages from trains.
Construction could start as early as 2024 and is anticipated to last approximately seven years. The new bridge will be lower and therefore not as steep, have more lanes, full shoulders and roadway lighting, the release states.
The design proposed seeks to minimize the impact on traffic during construction. Part of the plan calls for shifting the alignment of Sampson Street which will reduce the anticipated closure of Sampson Street from 18 months to fewer than nine months.
The renderings below are concepts, and CBP will host a meeting to receive public input on the aesthetics of the bridge.
The release states that toll rates will vary based on vehicle type and whether or not the vehicle uses a reduced rate toll tag. Toll tags will be available at no cost to the public. Only vehicles crossing the Calcasieu River Bridge will be subject to the toll.
According to the release, a public meeting providing detailed information on the project layout and the toll rates will be scheduled in the next few months. Subsequently, a hearing of the legislative joint transportation committee will be held for final review and approval.
The release states that tolling will not begin until the new bridge is open to traffic. Toll rates are set at 2023 dollars and will be adjusted over time based upon the Consumer Price Index.
Here's a graphic DOTD sent us:
- Local Auto is limited to vehicles registered in the five parish area (Calcasieu, Cameron, Allen, Jefferson Davis and Beauregard) and requires a toll tag for eligibility; peak hour HOV rates require 3+ occupants and a toll tag for eligibility
- Toll rates are indexed to CPI
- Toll tags will be available at no cost to the public
The release states that CBP will manage and oversee construction, maintenance, and operations of the new bridge and will recoup its investment through tolls paid by motorists. The tolls have been minimized because funding for this project will be combined with $800 million from a variety of sources:
- $150 million federal discretionary grant awarded to DOTD for the project
- $240 million in Motor Vehicle Sales Tax fund transfers
- $150 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds
- $85 million in state general obligation bonds
- $75 million from Highway Priority Program federal funds
- $100 million from state general fund
Another $150 million in Highway Priority Program funds are being used directly by DOTD for the project to cover right-of-way acquisition, railroad relocation, utility relocations, environmental mitigation, and review of construction by state inspectors.
The current Calcasieu River Bridge was constructed in 1952 and was originally part of the U.S. 90 highway system. It predates the interstate system, which this bridge became a part of back in the 1960s. It is generally accepted that bridges built in that time period had an assumed design life of 50 years. This bridge is beyond its useful life and is kept open and safe through frequent inspection and maintenance.
Traffic projections show daily volumes in excess of 110,000 vehicles per day by 2042.
