The Calcasieu River Bridge: A lifeline in the storm

Since its opening in 1952, the Calcasieu River Bridge has stood as more than just a steel span across the water—it has been a vital artery for Southwest Louisiana, especially during times of crisis. Originally built as part of U.S. Highway 90 and later incorporated into Interstate 10, the bridge quickly became the region’s primary east-west evacuation route. Its strategic location between Lake Charles and Westlake has made it indispensable during hurricane season, which runs from June through November. 

Over the decades, the bridge has played a critical role in evacuating residents ahead of major storms. During Hurricane Rita in 2005, for example, more than 1.9 million people evacuated from Louisiana, many of them using I-10 and the Calcasieu River Bridge to flee inland. In more recent storms like Hurricane Laura in 2020, which made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane, the bridge again served as a key escape route for tens of thousands of residents. The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) has consistently emphasized the bridge’s importance in emergency planning. 

One of the reasons the current bridge is being replaced is a much higher daily traffic count than when it was originally built. When traffic volumes surge during evacuations, delays can become dangerous. The replacement bridge will be better equipped to handle the 90,000 vehicles that use it every day, plus those emergency surges. 

The project team has an emergency preparedness plan in place, coordinating with state and local officials in the event of an evacuation during the construction period. 

Today, the Calcasieu River Bridge remains a cornerstone of Calcasieu Parish’s hurricane evacuation strategy. Local emergency preparedness officials urge residents to plan early and use designated routes, including I-10, to avoid last-minute congestion. The bridge is also part of the state’s phased evacuation plan, which prioritizes coastal and low-lying areas first, followed by inland zones. This coordination helps ensure that the bridge can serve its purpose efficiently when every minute counts. 

As we look to the future, the replacement of the Calcasieu River Bridge, the new design will incorporate wider lanes, improved shoulders, and enhanced traffic flow to better support both daily commuters and emergency evacuations.