BUTTIGIEG VISITS LA- Yesterday U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg joined Gov. John Bel Edwards and Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development Secretary Shawn Wilson in Lake Charles to celebrate the $150 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The grant is to help fund the replacement of the outdated I-10 bridge across the Calcasieu River. During opening remarks Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter pointed out the local and national economic significance of the bridge.
“This is not a Lake Charles bridge, this is not a Louisiana bridge, this is an American bridge vital to the economy and commerce of our nation,” Hunter said.
While the state DOTD says the bridge is still safe, the 70-year old bridge was initially designed for a 50-year lifespan and is at double its capacity for vehicle traffic, making it costly to maintain. As to the grant amount, Governor John Bel Edwards took time to explain the significance of the federal grant.
“The $150 million mega-grant is the largest grant ever received by the state of Louisiana by the U.S. Department of Transportation. The largest ever,” Edwards said.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg said the bridge project would bring significant employment to the area and took a moment to acknowledge Louisiana Republican Senator Bill Cassidy for helping with the project.
“I had a good conversation with Senator Cassidy on the way down here,” Buttigieg said. “I want to recognize his vision in reaching across the aisle, working with President Biden to make today possible. Our president often says there’s no such thing as a Democrat or Republican bridge. And this is a good reminder of that and I’m so appreciative of the senator.”
The $150 Million Federal Grant makes a significant contribution to the project’s budget, it far from resolves the challenge of funding the $1.5 billion replacement project. So far, $800 million has been secured from various sources, including the federal grant money, and other funding opportunities may be available in the future. The state is hoping a private-public partnership will help provide the rest, along with a toll.
