Posted in Louisiana Attractions, History, Sights & Landmarks February 04, 2021 by

The Calcasieu River Bridge in Louisiana Is One Of The Most Dangerous

Did you know there is a dangerous bridge in Louisiana that could be putting drivers at risk? The Calcasieu River Bridge in Louisiana is one of the most dangerous bridges in the entire state, but there does look like there’s hope for a plan of attack for repairs. But first, let’s take a closer look at the history of this Lake Charles bridge.

The Calcasieu River Bridge in Southwest Louisiana was originally built in 1951, opening up to traffic in 1952.
Wikicommons / CTtcg
It brings I-10/US 90 west from Lake Charles into Westlake. In the 50s, it was the US 90 bridge alone, and was later grandfathered into an I-10 bridge.
When that process took place, the federal government promised to replace the bridge, since it was not designed originally to be an interstate bridge.
929thelake.com / Scott Lewis
But this never happened.
Now, decades later, the bridge has been rated structurally deficient by the DOT, and was awarded a rating of 24 out of 100.
Google.com / maps
Travel and Leisure put the bridge on the list of “America’s Most Dangerous Bridges,” coming in at number 7 with a sufficiency rating of 9.9% out of 100.
Google.com / maps
Rumors that this bridge is going to be replaced have circulated for years, and it looks like some progress is being made.
google.com/maps
In late 2020, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development announced that it was given approval to get proposals and a contract to build and finance a new bridge. While there is still a lot of funding that needs to help offset the cost of the project, it’s a step in the right direction. If everything goes according to plan, a contract should be awarded in 2023.
Have you ever driven across this bridge?
Google.com / maps / tlthibo

Do you avoid it or do you risk it? What do you think the Louisiana government should do? And if you’re interested in checking out some of the other bridges we have in the area, check out our article about Louisiana’s bridges here.

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Address: US-90, Lake Charles, LA 70601, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center

Calcasieu River Bridge In Louisiana

February 19, 2021
Jackie Ann

What are the most haunted places in Louisiana?

No matter what state you live in, there’s at least one place that’s rumored to be haunted. When it comes to haunted places in Louisiana, we’ve certainly got our fair share. One of the most haunted places in the entire country resides right here in the Pelican State, and that’s the Myrtles Plantation. Allegedly haunted by several spirits, the most well-known is the ghost of Chloe, a former slave who lived on the plantation. The plantation is now a bed and breakfast and offers mystery tours, if you’re up for it!

What are the creepiest places in Louisiana?

Turn off the lights and just about any place gets a little creepy, but there are several places around Louisiana that are equally creepy during daylight. Six Flag’s abandoned amusement part in New Orleans East might just be the creepiest place in Louisiana. Abandoned since Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the once-thriving amusement park now sits abandoned, slowly being reclaimed by mother nature.

Are there any urban legends in Louisiana?

One of the most well-known urban legends in Louisiana is the old tale of the Rougarou. This mythical creature has morphed shapes over the years, but generally, he is described as a half-man, half-wolf creature with razor-sharp teeth and glowing eyes. He patrols the swamps at night, in search of his next victim. While most likely a cautionary tale to keep kids from the real dangers of the swamps (alligators, snapping turtles, etc.), there’s an ounce of “what if” to this urban legend. Who knows, maybe Louisiana has its very own Bayou Bigfoot!