Construction has officially begun on the long-anticipated replacement of the aging Interstate 10 bridge over the Calcasieu River, marking a major milestone for transportation infrastructure in Louisiana.
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The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LA DOTD), alongside partners ACCIONA, Sacyr and Plenary, held a formal groundbreaking ceremony to kick off the $3.37 billion project. The initiative will replace the existing 1950s-era bridge with a modern structure designed to enhance safety, mobility and freight efficiency along a key Gulf Coast corridor.
The I-10 crossing serves as a vital transportation link for commuters, regional industries and national supply chains moving through southwest Louisiana. Officials say the new structure will be built to accommodate both current traffic demands and future growth.
Plans for the replacement bridge include three travel lanes in each direction, along with an auxiliary lane and full shoulders to improve safety and traffic management. The design also features a reduced grade to ease travel conditions and incorporates all-electronic free-flow tolling aimed at minimizing congestion and improving travel times.
In addition to the bridge itself, the project includes upgrades to surrounding roadways and interchanges. These improvements are expected to strengthen regional connectivity and support commercial development in nearby communities such as Lake Charles and Westlake.
According to LA DOTD, the project is expected to support more than 16,000 jobs throughout its lifecycle and generate over $1 billion in economic impact through construction activity, procurement and long-term regional growth.
The bridge replacement is being delivered through a public-private partnership (P3) concession model. Under this arrangement, the project consortium will design, build, finance, operate and maintain the asset over a 50-year period.
As one of the largest infrastructure investments in Louisiana’s history, the project is expected to significantly improve freight reliability along the I-10 corridor, which plays a crucial role in national logistics and commerce.
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The project also reflects broader efforts by ACCIONA to expand its footprint across the United States through major infrastructure, water and energy initiatives. The company is currently involved in projects ranging from express lane development in Atlanta to flood protection systems in Fargo and water treatment projects in Puerto Rico.
In the renewable energy sector, ACCIONA operates approximately 3 gigawatts of installed capacity across the United States, including wind, solar and battery storage assets, underscoring its diversified infrastructure portfolio.
With construction now underway, the I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge Replacement Project is expected to play a key role in supporting economic growth, improving transportation safety and strengthening supply chain efficiency across the Gulf South for decades to come.
Originally reported by Acciona.
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