How Many Trucks Have Hit the Westlake I-10 Clearance Bar So Far?

Lake Charles, LA [KNGT-FM] - Construction activity is picking up in Westlake, Louisiana, as crews move forward with an early phase of the long-anticipated I-10 bridge replacement.

At this stage, the focus isn’t yet on the bridge structure itself but on critical groundwork, specifically, relocating utility lines that once ran above ground. Workers are now burying those pipes beneath the surface to clear the way for future development tied to the project.

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To make room for this work, transportation officials temporarily closed down the westbound I-10 exit into Westlake. Anyone in Westlake trying to head west on I-10 must now travel south on Sampson Street, pass underneath the I-10 Bridge, and pass through a clearance bar that was constructed to make sure the bridge doesn't get hit by big trucks and RVs.

Read More: Interesting Facts About The I-10 Bridge In Lake Charles

Once drivers pass safely underneath the clearance bar, they can then use the constructed temporary entrance ramp created by the Louisiana DOTD. But...We all know how that is working out, right?

If you are on social media, you have probably seen people posting pictures of trucks and RVs hitting this clearance bar. It used to be on the daily until they reconstructed the bar a couple of months ago, making it even lower. Since then, we don't see as many hits to the bar occurring.

It has become so comical, however, that a Facebook Page dedicated to the I-10 Clearance Bar was made and posts hilarious bits about the collisions that occur.

Read More: Did You Know The I-10 Bridge Has A Secret Entry

But if you have been following all the social media posts, then you know that someone is putting 18-wheeler magnets on the pole every time it is hit, and the most common question we see is "How Many hits is that?"

Well, now we know, as we took a picture of the bar with the current total. It looks like it is 26 trucks so far, unless the mysterious magnet person is slacking on the job LOL. Let's hope it doesn't go any higher, but let's face it, some people are going to roll the dice and try it, so more hits will most likely be on the way soon.