WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) delivered a letter of support to U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Pete Buttigieg urging him to approve the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development’s (LADOTD) application for a National Infrastructure Project Assistance Program (Mega) grant to help replace the I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge.
The letter from Congressman Higgins follows another communication on May 31, 2022, where he and other members of the Louisiana delegation expressed support for LADOTD’s Mega Grant application.
“This project meets the Mega Grant standards in that it will alleviate significant congestion issues on a highly traveled corridor and will generate national and regional economic benefits,” wrote Congressman Higgins. “Specifically, the interstate segment encompassing the project area experiences a reduction in travel lanes from six to four, leading to bottlenecking, time delays, and heightened safety risks. While the bridge is structurally sound, it lacks modern safety features.”
“The I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge is an important gateway for commercial activity along the Gulf Coast, including major industrial and LNG projects in Southwest Louisiana,” continued Congressman Higgins. “If approved, LADOTD will utilize Mega Grant funding and the State’s commitment of $335 million to leverage gap financing through a Public-Private Partnership (P3).”
“Completion of a new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge is a critical infrastructure priority for the Louisiana delegation. My office has worked closely with state and local leaders for the past five years to advance this bridge project, and we appreciate your thoughtful consideration of the State’s application for federal resources,” Congressman Higgins concluded.
The full letter is available here.
A timeline of Congressman Higgins’ involvement with the I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge project is available here.
