KPLC 7 News, Lake Charles, LouisianaJurors want update on I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge lights and replacement

Jurors want update on I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge lights and replacement

By Theresa Schmidt - bio | email

LAKE CHARLES, LA (KPLC) -Calcasieu Police Jurors are concerned about the status of lighting on the I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge and they want to know if and when a new, safer bridge will be built.

Last year police jurors joined with the City of Lake Charles to hire an attorney specializing in environmental law to deal with chemical contamination issues and the I-10 bridge.

In 1994, there was a huge ethylene dichloride spill and it appears underground contamination may create problems replacing the bridge. They don't want to do anything that could cause chemicals to spread or seep into new areas.

At their meeting Thursday night jurors asked staff to provide an update on bridge lights and rebuilding at an upcoming meeting.  Said Juror Hal McMillin, "I know we're working on the I-10 lights, trying to get that, we have the money appropriated for that. I'd just like to get an update on the installation of the new lights on the I-10 bridge, if we could do that at the next meeting."

 Juror Shannon Spell asked that staff take it a step further.  "I'd like to get an update on the status of the I-10 bridge replacement. I know we're dealing with some environmental issues on it but a quick update would be nice," said Spell.

Parish administrative officials plan to provide an update on the lights and bridge replacement at the August 19th meeting.

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