CALCASIEU RIVER BRIDGE (HBI)
ROUTE: I-10
CALCASIEU PARISH, LOUISIANA
STRUCTURE NUMBER: 071004509127697
RECALL NUMBER 032780
Description of the Bridge
The Calcasieu River Bridge (Structure Number 071004509127697, Recall Number 032780, Louisiana Historic Resource Inventory No. 10-01355) is a four lane, precast concrete and steel Warren through truss bridge constructed in 1951. It is located in Lake Charles in Calcasieu Parish (approximately latitude 30.237080, longitude -93.246690). The overall bridge length is approximately 6607 feet with a 68.5-foot width.
National Register Eligibility
Through consultation between the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LADOTD), the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the Louisiana State Historic Preservation Officer (LASHPO) and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP), the bridge was determined eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) as a Non-Priority for Historic Preservation due to its condition and the probability that it could not be rehabilitated or modified to meet the project purpose and need. This Warren through truss has significance as an important example of a distinctive type of truss bridge. Significance is demonstrated through an innovative or complex technological solution related to site conditions, consisting of the use of a cantilever truss with a tied-arch suspended span to meet the challenges of crossing the Calcasieu River. Further significance is demonstrated by the presence of distinctive features of the Warren through truss, which is characterized by diagonal members to withstand both tensile and compressive forces. This bridge’s particular example has added verticals for bracing but retains integrity and continues to convey its significant design features and is eligible for the National Register under Criterion C: Design/Engineering.
Status of the Bridge
The bridge is owned by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and currently carries Interstate 10 vehicular traffic over the Calcasieu River. LADOTD in conjunction with the FHWA proposes replacement of the bridge under State Project No H.003931 and Federal Project Number H003931. The estimated replacement date is to be determined.
As a mitigation stipulation for the Adverse Effect to this historic bridge, the bridge is being marketed to another entity for historic preservation. If ownership of the bridge is not transferred to another entity for moving to another location for an alternate use, the bridge will be demolished along with the other portions of the bridge.
The Calcasieu River Bridge was included in LADOTD’s Historic Bridge Inventory and was categorized as a Non-Priority for for Historic Preservation due to its condition and the probability that it could not be modified to meet the purpose and need of the project and the U.S. Secretary of the Interior standards for the treatment of historic bridges. Additionally, it was included in the Programmatic Agreement Among the FHWA, the LADOTD, the ACHP and the LASHPO regarding Management of Historic Bridges in Louisiana, executed August 25, 2015, (viewable at this web link
http://wwwapps.dotd.la.gov/administration/public_info/projects/home.aspx?key=48)
Re-use of the bridge as a non-vehicular bridge is encouraged. If you are interested in acquiring this bridge for adaptive, non-vehicular use please read the stipulations for bridge ownership transfer below. This bridge will be marketed until September 7, 2022. Contact Katherine Sinitiere at Katherine.Sinitiere@la.gov or 225-242-4509 by September 7, 2022 if you are interested in acquiring this bridge for non-vehicular, adaptive re-use or if you have questions on submitting a proposal.
Dimensions of the Bridge
The overall bridge length is approximately 6607 feet with a 68.5-foot width.
Funds for Relocation and Reuse of the Bridge
Funding that would be used for demolition of historic bridges can be used for its preservation at a new location. The estimated cost of demolition of the Calcasieu River Bridge is $22,629,000. An amount not exceeding this estimated cost of demolition ($22,629,000) would be made available to the new owner as a reimbursement for relocation and historic preservation of the bridge.
Stipulations for Bridge Ownership Transfer
The entity receiving the bridge must agree to the following:
The new owner would be charged the salvage value of the bridge which is estimated to be $4,375,000. (According to Title 7 Section 14(A) of the Louisiana Constitution, property or things of value of the state shall not be donated to or for any person, association, or corporation, public or private).
The entity must accept full ownership and all financial and legal responsibilities, including, but not limited to, maintenance, liability, and permitting.
The entity shall ensure that the transferred bridge is closed to motorized vehicular traffic (e.g., cars and trucks).
If the bridge is relocated, the relocation, reassembly and necessary permitting will be the responsibility of the entity taking ownership.
The proposed use of the transferred bridge will be subject to the approval of FHWA Louisiana Division (lead federal agency), LADOTD (lead state agency), and Louisiana State Historic Preservation Office (LASHPO).
The entity will be required to execute a preservation agreement that will include the above stipulations.
Submitting a Proposal
Interested parties must submit a proposal to LADOTD in writing (either by email or letter) of their interest by September 7, 2022. Please reference project number H.00391 in your proposal.
Send proposals:
Via email: Katherine.Sinitiere@la.gov
Via mail:
Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development
Section 28
P.O. Box 94245
Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9245
Attn: Katherine Sinitiere
The proposal must address:
Location and use: Where will the bridge be relocated, what will be its new use, and how it will be made accessible to the public?
Setting: Will the bridge continue to maintain a similar crossing as its original site, such as a water crossing or as a separation structure? Does the proposed relocation site have a similar setting as the original?
Assumption of responsibilities: The new owner must demonstrate understanding of the specific responsibilities they will take over when ownership is transferred, including title and insurance. The proposal must specifically discuss that the new owner will:
a) Maintain the bridge and the features that give the historic bridge its historic significance for a period of at least 20 years; and
b) Assume all future legal and financial responsibility for the historic bridge, which may include an agreement to hold the state transportation department harmless in any liability action.
Rehabilitation: Are there plans prepared for the rehabilitation of the structure on site? Do the plans meet the Secretary of the Interior Standard? In the case of disassembly, are disassembly plans prepared?
Requirements and studies: Describe any additional special requirements for the reuse of the bridge (e.g., if the bridge will be used for pedestrians, railing geometry and capacity restrictions for this use should be considered) and any additional studies or environmental clearances that are needed for the relocation, including potential archaeological survey of new site.
Cost estimate of the cost to relocate the structure and the reinstall at new site, including how funds will be obtained or raised.
Schedule: Outline of the proposed relocation schedule, addressing ability to have bridge off its current site by the scheduled replacement date (to be determined by LADOTD) and plans for temporary storage of the bridge, if needed.
Evaluation of Proposals
Proposals will be reviewed by a selected committee including representatives of LADOTD environmental and bridge staff, and the LA State Historic Preservation Office. Each proposal will be reviewed and evaluated based on how well it meets the above proposal criteria.
If the first choice in owner withdraws from the process prior to relocation, the bridge will not be re-marketed. Rather, the review committee's second choice in owner, if any, will be selected. The timeframe for relocation will not be re-started with the re-selection; however, a relocation extension may be granted at the owner's discretion. If there is no proposal that meets the above proposal criteria, then the bridge can be demolished.
Schedule for review of proposals
Proposals will be reviewed within 2 months of submittal deadline.
Additional information:
If you have questions about the bridge or the process of submitting a proposal, please contact Katherine Sinitiere at (225) 242-4509 or Katherine.Sinitiere@la.gov
