Letter to Donald Trump, President of the U.S. - Higgins Encourages Trump, Appropriators to Prioritize I-10 Bridge in Any Infrastructure Package

Letter

President Trump:
Thank you for your recent visit to the 3rd District of Louisiana to tour Sempra Energy's Cameron
LNG Export Facility. Your visit brought national attention to the over $100 billion in announced energy
projects and $65 billion in projects already underway in the region.
The 3rd District is home to historic economic growth and job creation as part of the LNG boom,
and I am honored that you recognize Louisiana's significance regarding American energy dominance. In
Calcasieu and Cameron parishes, projects like Sasol, Cheniere, Sabine Pass LNG, Driftwood LNG,
Magnolia LNG, Cameron LNG, and many others are creating tens of thousands of jobs and generating
billions in economic development. Southwest Louisiana is quickly becoming a global leader in energy
exports.
Your leadership will continue to play a large role in the success of these projects. While historic
tax cuts, regulatory reform, and an America-first business climate have paved the way for projects like
these, we must also focus on the infrastructure needs of this region. It was uplifting to hear your
commitment to beginning the work needed to build a new bridge over Interstate 10 (I-10) in Lake
Charles, La.
As you may know, the current I-10 Calcasieu River bridge opened for traffic in 1952 and was
designed for a traffic load of 37,000 crossings per day with a 50-year life span. In 2016, the average daily
crossings were over 80,000.
As you have seen firsthand, Southwest Louisiana's economic boom is driving the need for a new
bridge. While our region is the fastest growing in Louisiana and among the top nationally for economic
growth, Southwest Louisiana's growing infrastructure needs have largely been unaddressed. In order for
the State and the nation to fully capitalize on the success of these projects and corresponding job creation,
we must ensure that the region receives the infrastructure resources it needs to thrive. This includes
funding for a new Interstate bridge and the dredging of our waterways.
With strategic investments, we can unlock Southwest Louisiana's full economic potential, which
will be a major benefit to the entire nation.
Again, I am grateful for your personal attention to the growing national significance and
infrastructure needs of Southwest Louisiana. My office stands at the ready to assist with or answer any
questions you and your team may have about the I-10 Calcasieu River bridge and a potential replacement