Louisiana
Louisiana interstate bridge Biden, Trump identified as notorious finally set to be replaced
Construction to replace Louisiana’s most notorious bridge on Interstate 10 could finally begin this year, ultimately clearing a national chokepoint for cross-country commerce.
Republican Gov. Jeff Landry and his Louisiana Department of Transportation Secretary Joe Donahue this week announced a financial “notice to proceed” for the new $2.3 billion Calcasieu River Bridge in Lake Charles.
“Since I took office in January, my administration has remained committed to getting this critical project off the ground,” Landry said in a statement. “Reaching the notice to proceed is proof of that dedication to the people of Louisiana, as well as our continued drive to improve and modernize Louisiana’s infrastructure.”
President Biden and former President Trump have both identified the existing 72-year-old Calcasieu River Bridge as a symbol of America’s aging infrastructure.
The old bridge, a narrow, steep structure, is an iconic landmark with more than 5,000 crossed flintlock derringer pistols on both side rails, but it provides a white-knuckle ride for those driving the vehicles that cross it.
It’s rated 6.6 out of 100 by the National Bridge Inventory and there were unconfirmed rumors that the Secret Service wouldn’t let Biden cross it when he visited Lake Charles in 2021.
The old bridge was built to have a 50-year capacity and carry about one-third of the 90,000 plus vehicles that cross it today.
Its reputation is national.
In 2019 then President Trump promised if he was reelected, “We’re going to build a new I-10 bridge (in Lake Charles).”
“It impacts our supply chain for the entire country,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg told USA Today Network in 2023 when he visited Lake Charles to announce a $150 federal grant from the bipartisan Infrastructure Act.
Now the funding, about $1.2 billion federal and state money in hand with the balance to be raised in tolls after the new bridge is built, is finally locked down.
“A new bridge is long overdue, and clearing this hurdle puts our state closer than ever to seeing construction on this essential project,” Donahue said.
The state signed the public-private partnership agreement with Calcasieu Bridge Partners in January to build the new bridge, a project that’s 5.5-mile footprint will stretch from Lake Charles to Westlake. The Louisiana State Bond Commission approved the sale of private activity bonds for the project at its July 24, 2024 meeting.
Estimated construction time is seven years.
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Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1.
Louisiana
Louisiana Tech vs Western Kentucky: Week 9 College Football Betting Odds, Prediction, Pick
Week 9 of the college football season kicks off on Tuesday night with a Conference USA battle between the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers and Louisiana Tech Bulldogs.
The Hilltoppers come into Tuesday looking to get back in the win column after losing 25-6 to FIU last week. The loss snapped a three-game winning streak and dropped them to 5-2 overall and 3-1 in CUSA.
The Bulldogs are also looking to bounce back from a loss after they fell to Kennessaw State 35-7 two weeks ago. The loss was their first in the CUSA and dropped them to 4-2 overall.
Stream Louisiana Tech vs. Western Kentucky
If you’re looking to get back in the swing of football season and need some betting advice for Tuesday’s matchup in Rustin, we’ve got you covered. Here are the latest odds for the game, courtesy of BetMGM.
Louisiana Tech vs Western Kentucky game odds:
All college football odds via BetMGM
- Spread: Louisiana Tech -3.5 (-115), Western Kentucky +3.5 (-1105)
- Money Line: Louisiana Tech NL, Western Kentucky NL
- Over-Under: Over 50.5 (-110), Under 50.5 (-110)
Louisiana Tech vs Western Kentucky prediction, pick:
Both of these teams were stymied in their last game and are desperate for a win on Tuesday night. They both are hoping to stay near the top of the conference, but a loss would likely drop them out of the hunt. Maverick McIvor has been good at quarterback for the Hilltoppers this year and he could be the x-factor. He did throw three interceptions in this last game, but he bounces back and gives Western Kentucky a huge road win.
Prediction: Western Kentucky 31, Louisiana 23
Best Bet: Western Kentucky +3.5, Over 50.5
Louisiana Tech vs Western Kentucky channel, start time, streaming:
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
TV Channel: CBS Sports Network
Live Stream: Paramount+
Get more betting analysis and predictions at Sportsbook Wire.
Contact/Follow @College_Wire on X and @College_Wires on Threads. Like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of college sports news, notes, and opinions.
The transformation of a 200-year-old cottage into a museum, a project to put a performance pavilion in a public park and the renovation of a Romanesque university hall were all recognized recently by the Louisiana chapter of the American Institute of Architects.
The 2025 AIA LA Design Awards were presented at the annual AIA Louisiana Conference of Architecture in Lake Charles.
Judges selected six Merit Awards, two Honor Awards and one Members’ Choice Award out of 62 entries reviewed by a jury of nationally recognized architects.
Winners included five firms based in New Orleans, one based in Baton Rouge and from Lafayette. A pair of New Orleans-based architects also came away with individual awards.
- RHH Architecture, of Baton Rouge, won the Members’ Choice Award for The Retreat at Quarters Lake, a grief and bereavement care facility arranged in a a protective configuration. Anchored by a butterfly garden at its center, the inward-facing design and pitched roofs help deflect sound and bring natural light into a tranquil setting. The winner of the Members’ Choice Award is voted on by all of AIA Louisiana’s membership.
Louisiana
Hayes’ KO return, Jackson’s 3 scores highlight SE Louisiana’s 49-0 win over Northwestern State
HAMMOND, La. (AP) — Brandon Hayes returned a kickoff 83 yards for a touchdown to open the second half, Deantre Jackson scored three times and Southeastern Louisiana blanked Northwestern State 49-0 on Saturday.
The Lions (5-2, 3-0 Southland), ranked No. 22 in the FCS coaches’ poll, posted a second consecutive shutout for the first time since 1960. They beat McNeese State 38-0 in their previous game.
SE Louisiana outgained the Demons 402-96 and held Northwestern State (1-6, 0-3) to 24 yards rushing.
The Lions scored 14 points in each of the first three quarters. Jackson rushed for two touchdowns and caught a 27-yard scoring pass from Carson Camp to open the scoring.
Jack Hunter only had to punt twice for SE Louisiana, but one was for 74 yards, second-longest in program history.
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