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.
More: Garret Graves makes push to end Social Security penalty for teachers on way out of Congress
Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1.
Louisiana
‘Growth pays for growth’: Entergy’s Fair Share Plus model to save Louisiana customers $2.8 billion
Think tank proposes capping Social Security benefits at $100,000
A Washington think tank proposed capping annual Social Security benefits at $100,000 for couples as a way to shrink a looming deficit in the retirement trust fund.
When it comes to retiring, the best places to do so often are affordable, have a high quality of life and access to quality healthcare.
If you’re looking for a place to retire, Niche has identified the best places for retirees in Louisiana.
In its list, Niche has taken into account factors like weather, crime rates, housing costs and access to amenities.
The 5 best places to retire in Louisiana according to Niche
These are the top five best places to retire in Louisiana, according to Niche.
1. Oak Hills Place
Oak Hills Place is a suburb of Baton Rouge and is the overall best place to retire in Louisiana. This suburb, located in East Baton Rouge Parish, has a population of 9,038 and offers residents an urban suburban mix feel. The area is highly rated for families, diversity, as well as health and fitness. Here, the median home value is $437,900 and the median rent is $1,422, according to Niche.
2. Westminster
Westminster is another suburb of Baton Rouge and is the second-best place to retire in Louisiana. Located in East Baton Rouge Parish, this suburb has a population of 2,559 and offers residents an urban suburban mix feel. This area is highly rated for nightlife, diversity, families, health and fitness, as well as commute. The median home value here is $266,100 and the median rent is $1,482, says Niche.
3. River Ridge
River Ridge is a suburb of New Orleans, located in Jefferson Parish, and is the third-best place to retire in Louisiana. This suburb has a population of 13,312 and offers residents a dense suburban feel. The area is highly rated for public schools, family, nightlife and diversity. The median home value is $357,400 and the median rent is $1,127, according to Niche.
4. Westlake
Westlake is a town in Calcasieu Parish that is among the best places to retire in Louisiana. With a population of 4,743, this town offers residents a rural feel. The town is highly rated for public schools, housing, families, jobs, cost of living, nightlife and weather. Here, the median home value is $166,100 and the median rent is $1,049, says Niche.
5. Prien
Prien is another town in Calcasieu Parish that is among the best places to retire in Louisiana. This town has a population of 7,119 and offers residents a suburban rural mix feel. The town is highly rated for public schools, housing, families, nightlife and weather. The median home value here is $278,000 and the median rent is $1,292, according to Niche.
Presley Bo Tyler is the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team reporter for USA Today Network. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at PTyler@Gannett.com
A motorcyclist is recovering after a West Monroe crash involving an 18-wheeler, while Chevron won a Louisiana Supreme Court ruling shifting a major coastal lawsuit back to lower courts. Ouachita deputies arrested a suspect and recovered more than a dozen guns, Mississippi passed a new school social-media safety requirement, and Louisiana’s House advanced a unanimous state budget. A new recovery center opened, and multiple weekend events are underway across northeast Louisiana, plus national updates include stock-market stress guidance, a Ford F-150 recall, Spirit Airlines uncertainty, and tax-refund tips.
-
Pittsburg, PA2 minutes agoMcCorkle: Pittsburgh Steelers 2026 Mock Draft (Final Version)
-
Augusta, GA8 minutes agoAugusta nonprofit hosts family financial literacy day
-
Washington, D.C14 minutes agoStorm Team4 Forecast: A chilly, gusty Sunday before a cool start to the week
-
Cleveland, OH20 minutes agoWinners and Losers From Cleveland Cavaliers NBA Playoffs Game 1
-
Austin, TX26 minutes agoStorms dump small hail throughout Austin area Saturday
-
Alabama32 minutes agoYMCA of South Alabama holds Healthy Kids Day in Spanish Fort
-
Alaska38 minutes ago
Bear injures two US soldiers during military training in Alaska | The Jerusalem Post
-
Arizona44 minutes agoNFL mock draft: 4-round projections for Arizona Cardinals
