Edwards Proposes $100 Miilion To Build New Bridge In Lake Charles

Governor John Bel Edwards released a new state budget plan that includes money to replace the I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge.

President Biden promised SWLA a new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge as it stood in the background of his speaking tour stop in Lake Charles trying to promote his $1.9 trillion infrastructure plan. Well, as Mayor Nic Hunter put it, "talk is cheap", and now it looks like the burden to replace the bridge will be left with the state of Louisiana and its residents.

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It's all part of a $1 billion proposed infrastructure plan from the governor. The proposed plan includes:

• $500 million for a new I-10 Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge
• $100 million for a new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge
• $100 million for the I-49 Lafayette connector
• $500 million for statewide water and sewer improvements

Even though $100 million is a ton of money, it doesn't even touch the estimated cost to replace the bridge. DOTD estimated that the new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge could cost between $600 - $800 million to replace.

It begs the question, "where is the rest of the money coming from?". We've heard the whole time that a toll bridge could be a reality. It's looking more and more plausible every day.

For more details on the proposed plan from Governor Edwards, click here.