A beloved Lake Charles restaurant, Steamboat Bill’s, is expected to lose its location across from the lake as construction progresses on the new Calcasieu River Bridge for Interstate 10.
The state has started acquiring properties along a path slightly north of the current I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge as work begins on the new bridge. Several properties stand in the route for construction and state officials say those that will be impacted have been notified, though they have declined to publicly share a comprehensive list of affected properties.
An attorney for Steamboat Bill’s, New Orleans-based Randy Smith with Smith & Fawer LLC, confirmed that the state plans to take the entirety of the Steamboat Bill’s property at 1004 Lakeshore Drive. He added, though, that he does not expect the state to take the land until 2027.