Louisiana Department of Transportation (DOTD) Secretary Shawn D. Wilson, Ph.D. joined state and local officials to celebrate the groundbreaking of a project to widen and replace the existing I-10 bridges over US 165 in Jefferson Davis and Calcasieu Parishes.
Work began on this $75.7 million project on Sept. 13, 2022. It stretches over five miles of I-10 in both directions in between Iowa and Lacassine.
The interstate will be widened from two to four lanes, and the bridge will include three thru lanes and an eastbound on ramp and westbound off ramp. These new, longer ramps will allow drivers more time to speed up or slow down when entering or exiting Interstate 10.
The existing bridges over US 165 will be replaced with wider concrete slab span bridges in both directions. The new slab span bridges will include precast, pre-stressed concrete girders and drilled shaft foundations.
Work includes bridge, roadway, concrete and cable barrier and other related work. All frontage roads, along with four existing ramps, will be improved.
“Widening the I-10 bridges over US 165 to three lanes will improve traffic flow for motorists and continue three lanes along I-10 eastbound towards Lafayette,” said DOTD Secretary Shawn D. Wilson, Ph.D. “This project is a huge step forward in making sure an already heavily traveled area of I-10 can handle growing capacity.”
“Southwest Louisiana is an economic hot spot in our state,” said Sen. Mark Abraham. “Anytime we can improve our interstate and make it safer for our citizens, like improving the I-10/US 165 overpass, we all win.”
“The replacement for the I-10 overpass bridge over US 165 is exciting because the new structure will increase the lanes to match the lanes going west,” said Rep. Troy Romero. “I applaud DOTD for being forward thinking on this project. The new bridge will continue to move the state in the right direction. This project will allow for increased traffic flow, which will provide economic development in the future.”
The latest numbers from 2021 show that more than 66,000 vehicles traveled the corridor daily. That number is expected to increase to 73,100 motorists by 2042.
The project’s contractor is the Alexandria, Louisiana-based Gilchrist Construction. This project is expected to be completed by the fall of 2024, weather depending.
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