Interstate 210 (Louisiana)

Interstate 210 (I-210) is a 12.4-mile-long Interstate Highway in Lake Charles, Louisiana. It serves as a bypass route around the city, connecting I-10 west of Lake Charles to I-10 east of the city.

Route Description

I-210 begins at a cloverleaf interchange with I-10 on the western edge of Lake Charles. From there, it heads generally eastward, crossing the Calcasieu River via the Calcasieu River Bridge (also known as the I-210 Bridge). Continuing east, the route passes through residential and commercial areas of Lake Charles. It intersects with several major local thoroughfares, including Nelson Road, Lake Street, and Ryan Street. Finally, I-210 merges back into I-10 at an interchange east of Lake Charles, near Sulphur.

History

Construction of I-210 began in the late 1960s and was completed in the early 1970s. Its purpose was to alleviate traffic congestion on I-10 through downtown Lake Charles and to provide better access to various parts of the city. The Calcasieu River Bridge is a major landmark along the route and provides views of the surrounding area.

Exit List

The exit numbers on I-210 generally correspond to mileage. Significant exits include those for:

• LA 397 (Exit 3)
• Nelson Road (Exit 5)
• Lake Street (Exit 6)
• Ryan Street (Exit 8)

Future

As of [Current Year - Replace with the current year], no major expansions or renovations of I-210 are currently planned, although ongoing maintenance and minor improvements are regularly undertaken by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LaDOTD). Traffic flow and congestion are continuously monitored to evaluate future needs.