I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge Project
- 1. I-10 Calcasieu Bridge RISING FOR A NEW I-10 BRIDGE
- 2. HISTORY Built in 1952 under governorship of Earl K. Long 135 foot high span In 2009, the National Bridge Inventory (NBI) denotes the bridge is “basically intolerable requiring high priority of corrective action”; LDOTD disputes saying it is safe Environmental Impact Study underway since March 2012 – currently delayed to mid 2017 due to Navigational Use Study No design to date Approximately 53,000 vehicles per day Crossed pistols represent Jean Lafitte / cherished by preservation organizations & community
- 3. THE PROBLEMS THE BRIDGE IS NOT SAFE! • Reduction of lanes • No place to pull over • Steep roadway grades slowing traffic • Low vertical clearance Declining capacity and increased congestion in all directions Lack of connectivity and continuity on I-10 Inadequate road limit Lack of shoulders and vertical geometry Traffic increasing in all directions! SWLA has an infrastructure problem that needs solving!
- 4. I-210 BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION (2-year project) INCREASED CONGESTION DELAYED I-10 BRIDGE PROJECT
- 6. FACTS I-10 is a problem Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) has been delayed – Now due in Mid 2017 Traffic volume is already increasing – expected 72,000 vpd from current 53,000 vpd by 2025 Southwest Louisiana is growing and congestion will continue Southwest Louisiana is the ENERGY CAPITAL OF THE SOUTH Not a statewide “top of mind” -- other Louisiana State highway projects are receiving priority Infrastructure improvements are IMMINENT
- 7. LDOTD’s Plan
- 8. What the LDOTD is saying. . .
- 9. MISSION Build a unified coalition that proactively: • Generates urgency to fast track and rebuild I-10 Bridge • Creates value for a new I-10 Bridge • Clears environmental problems • Addresses safety concerns • Identifies funding • Manages preservation and environmental groups • Reinforces agency coordination to move forward GOVERNMENT BUSINESS CITIZENS
- 10. GRASSROOTS COALITION ARE YOU IN FOR 10??? Build a unified coalition of stakeholders from SW Louisiana, SE Texas and other areas in Louisiana
- 11. Elected officials from SW Louisiana, SE Texas and other parts of Louisiana working together in support of I-10 Bridge Project • Parish Governments • Cities/Municipalities • U.S. Congressional Representatives • LA State Police • Governor & State Officials • Parish Officials • Agencies Proactively drive support GRASSROOTS CAMPAIGN
- 12. MOVING FORWARD. . . CREATE URGENCY and SUPPORT Clear Environmental Issues Research and Secure Funding Options Design Approval and Completion Stakeholder Support CLEAR ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES BRIDGE DESIGN STATEWIDE STAKEHOLDER SUPPORT SECURE FUNDING
Editor's Notes
- #2: “In for 10” is a campaign sponsored by the Southwest Louisiana Alliance to influence public opinion by building a grassroots coalition generating urgency and need for a new I-10 bridge for Southwest Louisiana. The “In for 10” coalition will proactively: Generate urgency to fast track and rebuild the I-10 bridge Communicate need for a new I-10 bridge Clear environmental and litigation hurdles Address safety concerns Identify funding Manage preservation and environmental groups Reinforce agency coordination to move forward
- #6: Bridge Timeline
- #7: Environmental Impact Statement has been underway since March 14, 2012. Study includes an Interchange Justification Report. Report was slowed due to Navigational Use Study. Study was to be complete and finalized with Record of Decision (ROD) by March 2016 I—49 Geaux South coalition is moving faster and getting more attention – more expensive than I-10 Bridge Project $97 billion in announced petrochemical industry expansion
- #9: I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge Maintenance Project Project Details State Proj. No.: H.006783 Cost: $5.7 million Contractor: Topcor Services Map ItThis maintenance and repair project on the Interstate 10 Calcasieu River will repair many aspects of the bridge including repairing and resealing joints on the road surface, removing rust, repainting, replacing damaged rivets with bolts, and repairing portions of hand rails. Crews will work on the bridge seven days a week and in some phases, crews will work around the clock. The contractor is required to maintain one lane of through and local traffic at all times, and shall conduct operations to cause the least possible interference with traffic. Lane closures will be only between 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. During one phase (approximately 45 days), there will be 24-hour-a-day closure of one lane in each direction. Motorists approaching Lake Charles on I-10 will be advised to take the I-210 Loop to avoid bridge construction.
- #11: Public Relations & Community Outreach Strategic informational and education tools to key stakeholders community & business leaders will be developed: Communications Powerpoint Presentations Website & Social Media Giveaway Items External links (See PR & Community Outreach Plan)
- #12: Personal Meetings Public Hearings & Open Houses Letter Writing Campaign Political Support Resolutions