The Nelson Road Extension Project over Contraband Bayou is on schedule and expected to be completed by spring 2027.

John Guiidroz, spokesperson for the Lake Charles district office of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, said the contractor, Johnson Brothers Corp., is installing subsurface drainage at this time.

Other work will include installing test piles and bringing in the north bridge approach embankment.

The DOTD said the $1.7 million project began March 2023 with funding from a combination of federal and state dollars for environmental, preliminary engineering and construction.

The project will extend Nelson Road and build a bridge over Contraband Bayou. Construction stretches over one mile and the bridge, once complete, will connect Nelson Road with West Sallier Street.

The project will also include an access road to the Port of Lake Charles. DOTD and the Port of Lake Charles will work to relocate an existing railroad owned by the port. The city of Lake Charles will also work on improvements along West Sallier St.