The Calcasieu River Bridge, or the Pistol bridge officially named the Louisiana Memorial World War II Bridge in June 1951[1] is an arched cantilever, rivet-connected Warren through truss (main span)[2] located on Interstate 10 between Lake Charles, Louisiana, and Westlake, Louisiana. It was the only major bridge in Lake Charles, until the construction of the Lake Charles Loop with the I-210 Calcasieu River High Bridge began in 1962, with an average annual daily traffic (2009) of 51,800. The bridge has a vertical clearance of 135 feet (41 m). It was built under the administration of Gov. Earl K. Long and opened in 1952. It has decorative iron work with crossed guns integrated into the railings. The I-10 Bridge was originally built as the U.S. Hwy 90 bridge and later was grandfathered into Interstate 10.
Construction began in 1948 ,[4] as part of U.S. Route 90 in Louisiana, and was completed in 1952. The bridge was built before the Interstate Highway System, and included pedestrian walkways that are forbidden on interstate highways, so the bridge is also rated as functionally obsolete.[5] Before the bridge was built, U.S. 90 traffic crossed the Calcasieu River over a draw bridge located by the Port of Lake Charles on Shell Beach Drive, which runs around the south side of the lake. The remnants of the old bridge can still be seen at the end of Shell Beach Drive by the Port.
Condition
The I-10 bridge has been listed by the National Bridge Inventory (NBI) as Structurally Deficient with a rating of 3 and a Sufficiency Rating of 9.9 out of 100.[6] Louisiana has 13,361 bridges with 1,722 (12.89%) listed as SD.[7] It was reported in March 2017[8] that the sufficiency rating has dropped to 6.6 out of 100[9]
As an indication of the bridge rating, a zero means that a bridge is closed. The rating of 1 is not used. The rating for the Calcasieu River Bridge has dropped significantly from 1992 to 2010. The 1992 report listed the deck condition as poor (4 out of 9), the superstructure condition as fair, with a 5 out of 9, an evaluation of structurally deficient, and a sufficiency rating of 40.9. In 2010, the deck condition was 4 out of 9 (the same), the superstructure condition was rated as serious (3 out of 9), the substructure condition was rated as serious (3 out of 9), and a sufficiency rating of 9.9 was assigned. These ratings evidence is a drastic drop in all but one area. The majority of heavy traffic SD bridges have a sufficiency rating of 50 or better.[11] The I-35W Mississippi River bridge had a sufficiency rating of 50 in 2005, was listed again as "structurally deficient" and in possible need of replacement, and had ongoing repairs to include overlay, lighting, and guardrails, before falling in August 2007. A contributing factor has been attributed to the extra weight caused by the construction.
Because of the severe substandard rating, the speed limit has been dropped to 50mph and heavy trucks have been limited to the right lane on the bridge. This actually causes truck traffic to have to contend with merging ramp traffic from both ways, but particularly the east-bound ramp that merges at the foot of the bridge, creating a bottleneck. With the extreme height of the bridge, trucks speeds drop considerably to as low as 20mph, creating a steady bumper to bumper congested traffic flow across the entire bridge at times, adding a substantial amount of weight on the bridge.
Traffic congestion
There are several causes of traffic congestion on the bridge including; a bottle neck caused from three lanes of traffic dropping to two in the busy corridor, an estimated traffic of 55,000 vehicles a day, sharp curves on the east side of the bridge in Lake Charles with reduced speed limits, a narrow bridge. The bridge is listed as currently being 6,617 feet (1 1/4 mile) length with a finished grade of 152.10" elevation. The east grade is 3.8% (listed in 1982 as 3.78% both ways) and the west grade is 3.8% and 5% 600' from the crest. There are no shoulders, no turn-around in case of accidents, and an exposed elevated walk-way on either side that also contributes to the bridge being obsolete.[12]
Repairs
In June 2011, the Louisiana DOTD began a $5.7 million repair project (State Proj. No.: H.006783)[13] on the bridge. Safety and structural repairs included replacing 48 girder pins, and the work was finished by December 22, 2012. Hangers were used for worker safety and precautions were taken to comply with environmental regulations. The existing girder pins were 4-in. (10.2cm) and were replaced using 4.5-in. (11.4cm) pins. To facilitate the larger pins, special custom-built drills were used. New 0.875-in. (2.2cm) A325 structural bolts were used in the pin plate connections. Patrick Bernier, project manager for Topcor Services, LLC, general contractor for the project stated, "The bridge is safe, but it is too narrow according to modern highway standards [ . . . ] And it is too steep on its approaches.”.[14]
Designer N.E. Lant used 5,286 pairs of crossed decorative cast iron pistols placed on the bridge railing, reportedly in homage to pirate history and legends of Jean LaFitte, being the name he preferred, and 50 to 60 pairs have been damaged or determined to be missing. As part of the project, these will be replaced, along with damaged parts of the guard rails.[15][16] The original castings were done by John Lester Boone Foundry Works of Lawtell, Louisiana. Missing/stolen pistols were recast by an Alabama foundry in the late 1980s and again in the 2000s during major overhauls of the bridge.[17] A state official in Scott, Louisiana stated in 1992 to a Boone descendant that so many people would walk up the thin sidewalks of the bridge at night to chip out and take home the crossed pistols as mantel pieces, that the ornaments had to be replaced to prevent the handrails from collapsing.[18]
Replacement of the bridge
In 2022, the Calcasieu River Bridge turned 70 years old. With over 600,000 bridges, the average bridge age in the United States is 42 years old, with one in nine rated as deficient. Louisiana has a total of 13,050 bridges, and 1,827 (14%) are considered deficient. 1,963 bridges (15%) are considered functionally obsolete.[19][20]
It had been decided the bridge needed replacing since before 2002. There are several areas of concern including the age of the bridge, the low bridge ratings, steep grades, traffic congestion, amount of traffic that has been estimated at around 55,000 vehicles a day, low vertical traffic clearance, and contamination. These contributing factors rank the bridge as "a dangerous bridge" and 7th in the nation in need of replacing.[21] In 2023, a plan was vetoed on the replacement bridge due to tolls being proposed. This made the project on hold[22] until 2024 when a plan was approved that would include tolls, with especially high prices for trucks.[23]
Bridge concepts
Four different concepts are being considered for a new bridge.
Concept A: Would be a new eight lane bridge including an auxiliary lane in both directions. The center of the bridge would be 170 feet north of the center of the current bridge and would require the existing bridge to be removed. The frontage roads would merge onto the bridge and be one-way.
Concept B: Would be a new six lane bridge with two lane service roads on each side built on the outside or the same structure. This concept includes removing the existing bridge and would be for two-way traffic on the frontage roads.
Concept C: Would be a new six lane bridge similar to concept B but with the frontage roads on separate structures. This would also require the removal of the existing bridge. This concept would be more invasive to the environment requiring three bridges to be built and would be for two-way frontage roads.
Concept D: This would be a new six lane bridge with the existing bridge to be rehabilitated and used for the frontage roads. This is the only concept that would require the existing bridge to remain and has some preference because the old bridge has historical significance and is a candidate for historical classification. This design would be for one-way frontage roads. A disadvantage to this concept would be invasion on the beach property and is considered one decision on a particular bridge (considered in 2002) has still not been determined and this has been pushed off until 2016. The preliminary report, subject to change and updating, shows that all the concepts and alternates have common features, calling for steel box girders for the main spans, four spans at 200', 270', 270', and 200', u-turn on the east end, improving the I-10 profile at abandoned railroad, modifying the existing ramps on the east end of the bridge for westbound traffic and eastbound exit at I-10 and US 90 (east), center-line alignment 3 (or similar), bridge profile 2, and the Ryan street ramp construction.
Four alternates, that use two of the four bridge concepts, differ depending on if one-way or two-way service roads are chosen. Alternate 1 shows a preference for bridge concept A. Alternate 2 shows a preference for bridge concept C with continuous service roads across the bridge. All the bridge profiles use models with a 95' finished grade elevation, 57.10' lower than the current bridge, and a vertical clearance of 73' that is 62' lower than the current bridge. All bridge models show a 3% grade on the west side. The east side would be 3% for bridge profile 1, with 2.25% for profile 2, and 1.65% for profile 3.[24]
Conversion to pedestrian bridge
There is a local movement to preserve the existing bridge by converting it to pedestrian use after the replacement bridge is constructed. The group, Save Our Bridge, cites the Bridge's iconic status on the city skyline, cultural relevance in local art, and architectural heritage all as reasons for preservation. Adaptive Reuse of the bridge will also provide a key pedestrian access from the cities of Lake Charles and Westlake while drawing tourists to the area, promoting economic growth and health and wellness for locals.
While the bridge is no longer suitable for interstate traffic, it is possible to convert it to pedestrian use without significant economic investment. The Save Our Bridge effort is promoting the funding of an engineering study to determine the feasibility of preservation and pedestrian use as well as providing a conceptual design.
2024
After a first round of negotiations in November 2023 failed a new plan was drawn up. Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development Secretary Eric Kalivoda (La DOTD) sent letters to both Patrick McMath of the Louisiana Senate, and Mark Write to the Louisiana House of Representatives, both chairmen of their respective Senate[25] and House[26] Committees on Transportation, Highways, and Public Works.[27] The letters are in accordance with Louisiana Revised Statute 48:250.4(A)(2). The letters (and emails) requesting approval to sign a public-private partnership (P3) contract, with Calcasieu Bridge Partners for the replacement of the Interstate 10 bridge, over the Calcasieu River in Calcasieu Parish. The requests were approved by the Louisiana legislature’s Joint Transportation Committee which was approved for a public-private partnership (P3) to build the bridge. Although resisted at first apparently the public and interested groups agreed to the proposal.[28] The approved contract is for a $2.1B Calcasieu River bridge and supporting roadway from the I-210/I-10 east junction to the I-10/I-210 west.[29] The proposal between the DOTD and Calcasieu Bridge Partners (CBP) was approved and a signed contract to include a bridge and a 5.5-mile toll corridor.[30]
Project construction on the toll road and bridge is scheduled to last seven years and the tolls for 70 years. GovernorJeff Landry signed on after having the toll reduced. Landry stated the reduced toll he agreed to would remove any state financial liability and offer a reduced toll to area residents of five connecting parishes the toll will be $.25.[31] There is some conflicting reports. 15% of any profits from the tolls would go to either the Lake Charles area or split between the five parishes.
Many wanted to keep the old bridge for historic reasons. The bridge qualifies for NHRP listing but the plans call for the bridge to be torn down when construction is completed.[32]
The amount secured so far:
$150 million from the DOTD from a federal government discretionary grant for the project,
Department of Motor Vehicles transfers amounting to $240 million.
$150 million from the American Rescue Plan Act,
$85 million backed by the state’s general obligation,
$75 million from the Federal Highway Priority Program
$100 million from state general fund.
Project partners, according to I-10 Calcasieu Mobility partners,[33] are CINTRA, a transportation infrastructure company based in Austin, Texas.[34] and others in a long list of partners.[35]
A notice to proceed on the $2.3 billion dollar super project has been authorized. 15 percent of the net toll revenue profits will be used to shorten the expected 50 year toll or to fund future projects in the five-parish area. State and federal funding will cover $1.2 billion of the project’s overall cost. The remaining costs will be covered through toll revenue.[36]
Bridge details
The new bridge was dubbed "Alternative 5G", or State Project Number: H.003931, that was included in the December 2, 2020, DOTD fact sheet, has been chosen.[37]
Construction partners
Calcasieu Bridge Partners Consortium consist of a joint venture of Plenary Americas US Holdings, Inc., Sacyr Infrastructure USA LLC, and Acciona Concesiones S.L.[38]
Interstate 12 (I-12) is an intrastate Interstate Highway located entirely within the US state of Louisiana. It spans a total of 85.59 miles (137.74 km) in an east–west direction from I-10 in Baton Rouge to an interchange with both I-10 and I-59 in Slidell. Along the way, it passes through the city of Hammond, where it intersects I-55 and US Route 51 (US 51). It also serves the cities of Ponchatoula and Denham Springs, as well as the St. Tammany Parish cities of Covington and Mandeville.
U.S. Highway 171 (US 171) is a part of the United States Numbered Highway System and the only route within that system currently located entirely within the state of Louisiana. It spans 177.44 miles (285.56 km) in a north–south direction from the junction of US 90 and Louisiana Highway 14 (LA 14) in Lake Charles to the junction of US 79/US 80 and LA 3094 in Shreveport.
U.S. Highway 90 Business is a business route of U.S. Highway 90 located in and near New Orleans, Louisiana. It runs 14.25 miles (22.93 km) in a general east–west direction from US 90 in Avondale to a junction with Interstate 10 (I-10) and US 90 in the New Orleans Central Business District.
Interstate 10 (I-10), a major transcontinental Interstate Highway in the Southern United States, runs across the southern part of Louisiana for 274.42 miles (441.64 km) from Texas to Mississippi. It passes through Lake Charles, Lafayette, and Baton Rouge, dips south of Lake Pontchartrain to serve the New Orleans metropolitan area, then crosses Lake Pontchartrain and leaves the state.
Louisiana Highway 10 (LA 10) is a state highway located in southern Louisiana. It runs 255.51 miles (411.20 km) in an east–west direction from U.S. Highway 171 (US 171) south of Leesville to the Mississippi state line east of Bogalusa.
Louisiana Highway 14 (LA 14) is a state highway located in southern Louisiana. It runs 100.10 miles (161.10 km) in an east–west direction from the junction of U.S. Highways 90 and 171 in Lake Charles to LA 182 in New Iberia.
Louisiana Highway 47 (LA 47) is a state highway located in southeastern Louisiana. It runs 15.91 miles (25.60 km) in a general southeast to northwest direction from the Mississippi River levee in Chalmette to the intersection of Hayne Boulevard and Downman Road in New Orleans.
Interstate 10 (I-10) is the major east–west Interstate Highway in the Southern United States. In the U.S. state of Texas, it runs east from Anthony, at the border with New Mexico, through El Paso, San Antonio, and Houston to the border with Louisiana in Orange. At just under 880 mi (1,420 km), the Texas segment of I-10, maintained by the Texas Department of Transportation, is the longest continuous untolled freeway in North America that is operated by a single authority. It is also the longest stretch of Interstate Highway with a single designation within a single state. Mile marker 880 and its corresponding exit number in Orange, Texas, are the highest-numbered mile marker and exit on any freeway in North America. Since widening was completed in 2008, a portion of the highway west of Houston is now also believed to be the widest in the world, at 26 lanes when including feeders.
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) is a state government organization in the United States, in charge of maintaining public transportation, roadways, bridges, canals, select levees, floodplain management, port facilities, commercial vehicles, and aviation which includes 69 airports, in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The agency has approximately five thousand personnel on staff and an operating budget of $2.3 billion. DOTD operations are run through nine district offices across the state.
Interstate 55 (I-55) is a part of the Interstate Highway System that spans 964.25 miles (1,551.81 km) from LaPlace, Louisiana, to Chicago, Illinois. Within the state of Louisiana, the highway travels 66 miles (106 km) from the national southern terminus at I-10 in LaPlace to the Mississippi state line north of Kentwood.
The Israel LaFleur Bridge is a concrete pillar vehicular bridge located in the city of Lake Charles, Louisiana. The bridge was built in 1962 as part of Interstate 210. It is named after Israel LaFleur, who spearheaded the project to build it.
Interstate 69 (I-69) is a proposed Interstate Highway that will pass through the northwestern part of the US state of Louisiana.
Interstate 49 (I-49) is an Interstate Highway that currently spans 244.021 miles (392.714 km) in a north–south direction in the US state of Louisiana. Currently, I-49 runs from I-10 in Lafayette to the Arkansas state line. I-49 greatly parallels the older US Highway 71 (US 71) corridor, and connects the state's two east–west Interstates at two of its metropolitan centers. Along the way, it serves the cities of Opelousas, Alexandria, and Natchitoches, intersecting several cross-state highways, such as I-20, US 190, US 167, US 165, and US 84.
U.S. Highway 11 (US 11) is a part of the United States Numbered Highway System that spans 1,645 miles (2,647 km) from New Orleans, Louisiana, to Rouses Point, New York. Within the state of Louisiana, the highway travels 31 miles (50 km) from the national southern terminus at US 90 in New Orleans to the Mississippi state line south of Picayune.
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Louisiana Highway 101 (LA 101) is a state highway located in southwestern Louisiana. It runs 17.28 miles (27.81 km) in a general north–south direction from LA 14 in Hayes to LA 383 north of Iowa.
Louisiana Highway 108 is a state highway located in western Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana that runs 24.8 miles (39.9 km) in a general west–east direction from Interstate 10 (I-10) in Vinton to U.S. Highway 90 in Sulphur. The highway runs in roughly a "U" shape along section line roads, dipping southward from Vinton then east parallel to I-10 and back to the north toward Sulphur. The majority of the route is signed west–east except for the eastern leg running north to Sulphur, which is signed north–south. The latter section is also the most travelled, providing access to the oil and petrochemical industry south of Sulphur and a connection to LA 27.
Interstate 59 (I-59) is a part of the Interstate Highway System that runs 445.23 miles (716.53 km) from Slidell, Louisiana, to just outside of Wildwood, Georgia. In the U.S. state of Louisiana, I-59 extends 11.48 miles (18.48 km) from its national southern terminus at I-10 and I-12 in Slidell to the Mississippi state line north of the town of Pearl River. This segment of I-59 is the shortest of the four states which it passes through.
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I-10 and 
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