The impact of the preferred I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge design on chemical contamination or wetlands or relocation didn’t appear to raise an eyebrow. The talk was all about the toll at the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development and the Federal Highway Administration open house public hearing Tuesday.

The meeting was held to gather public input and comments for its Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge Improvements Project in Lake Charles and Westlake.

“In order to build a bridge, we need to clear the environmental phase required by federal law,” explained Lynn Maloney, a senior environmental planning consultant from HNTB who is working with DOTD on the project. Studies have been conducted beginning in 2001.

After watching a 33-minute video, and being invited to ask questions of environmental, real estate and engineering experts, the thing that piqued public interest was a poster that stated: “All crossings will be tolled, no matter which alternative is selected. The only toll free route will be 1-210 and through Moss Bluff. The toll rate will be $2.88 in 2021 U.S. dollars and will require the purchase of a transponder.”

Louisiana State Representatives Les Farnum and Phillip Tarver were at the meeting.

“As far as I’m concerned, there is money (to build a bridge without charging a toll) and it’s not being appropriated,” said Phillip Tarver.

Farnum agreed, “We can build the 210 to 210 infrastructure later on. We need a bridge. We need a bridge we can afford. I really don’t understand why they won’t discuss it (using funds rather than tolling the bridge).

Farnum said that $285 million in the capital outlay program is dedicated to the bridge and a megaproject leverage fund passed that gives the Calcasieu River Bridge about $40 million a year to bond out over time, about $600 million in total.

“This department, this administration wants it with a toll,” Tarver said. “If the Governor wanted to spread the money out where we didn’t have to pay the toll, he could make that happen. That’s his prerogative as the Governor.”

Pat Hay, Hay Brothers Trucking said the toll would impact his business as his truck might cross the bridge from one time a day to 30. This bridge is already built, it was built with his tax dollars.

“If they want to build something different, something new, they can charge a toll for that.”

Brad Nelson, Freedom Trucks and representing the Louisiana Motor Transport Association and Highway Policy Committee said the toll would put his business at a major competitive disadvantage compared to companies on the west side of the bridge. A toll is another burden, in addition to fuel tax, increased insurance rates and other trucking costs. Nelson said he talked to Congressman Clay Higgins and Higgins said the state has not required state funding.

Fitz Darbonne, president of the African American Chamber of Commerce said businesses on the north side of the interstate on Opelousas and Hwy. 171 would be adversely affected because when the toll goes up, drivers will choose the I-210 bridge.

“Who approved the tolling of the bridge,” asked Paul Chandler. The moderator answered that it hasn’t been approved.

The public can submit comments via email about the Draft Environmental Impact Statement to CalcasieuBridge@hntb.com or call 225-368-2826 and leave a voicemail. Comments received at the public hearing or before December 23, 2022, will be included in the public hearing transcript. Public comments will be accepted after December 23 until January 3, 2023. These comments will be addressed in the Final Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision. The combined FEIS and ROD will be completed and issued in summer 2023, final mitigation and permitting along with execution