In a major blow to the industry, Louisiana’s Joint Transportation Committee has voted not to proceed with the Calcasieu Bridge I-10 P3 project.
The committee voted to reject the proposal, voting with an 8-6 split, canceling the late stage procurement in its tracks, with a new bit-by-bit approach to the bridge replacement likely to follow.
One of the state’s flagship projects, Lousisana Department of Transportation & Develooment (LaDOTD) had already selected a Plenary-led team, featuring major players such as Acciona and Sacyr, as its preferred bidder. In a letter before the decision, LaDOTD Secretary Eric Kalivoda said a move to cancel would be “shortsighted”, adding yesterday that it is “going to be decades before you see a new bridge".
Concerns about the decision had been swirling in the industry for months, intensifying after the gubernatorial election earlier this year saw the state’s leadership change color.
To read our in-depth about political risk, featuring a close look at the lead up to the I-10 decision, click here.