The state Department of Transportation will host a public meeting tonight at the Lake Charles Civic Center to discuss replacing the Calcasieu River Bridge.

Deidra Druilhet with DOTD says the purpose of the open-forum is to give the community a chance to see the future plans and receive feedback.

She says the construction would extend from the I-10/I-210 interchange on the west side river to the interchange on the east side.

“It’s going to allow us to improve our connectivity, reduce a lot of that traffic congestion that you have there. Address some of those roadway deficiencies and of course enhance safety.”

Druilhet says the 66 year old bridge is eligible to be on the National Registration of Historic Places and they hope to get feedback from the public on this, as well. She says at this time there is no money available for a new bridge, but it’s time to build a new one with today’s standards.

“It has a very steep grade, it’s very tall. Not only that but the lanes are much narrower than we build our bridges today and there are no shoulders.”

The meeting is from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Contraband Room. Druilhet says the proposed project would improve connectivity, congestion and bridge deficiencies.

“Our main goal is to build a bridge that is going to be able to meet the demand of today’s traffic that we have there on the roads.”

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