The City of Lake Charles provides the following update on the West Prien Lake Road Widening Project:

The project, which is a joint project between the City of Lake Charles and Calcasieu Parish Police Jury, remains on track for its original completion date of spring 2025. 

The scope of work includes the widening of West Prien Lake Road from Cove Lane south to Ihles Road, to include a bike path on the west side of the road and sidewalks on the east side, as well as major improvements to drainage, water and sewer infrastructure. 

The project also includes the reconstruction of Sale Road, to include a 3-lane roadway from Rue Chan Ann Lane, west to West Prien Lake Road. This portion of the project is now complete.  Additionally, the widening and paving of West Prien Lake Road south of its intersection with Sale Road, is complete and this portion of the road is open to north and southbound traffic. 

Construction is underway on West Prien Lake Road, north of its intersection with Sale Road and includes the widening of the road, installation of new drainage infrastructure and concrete pavement.  

Beginning at 7 am on Tuesday, December 3, a change in the current traffic flow pattern will occur. The southbound lane of West Prien Lake Road, from the Cove Lane Traffic Circle to Henderson Bayou Road, will be closed to vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Only northbound traffic will be allowed on West Prien Lake Road from Henderson Bayou Road to the Cove Lane Traffic Circle. West Prien Lake Road south of Henderson Bayou Road will be open to two-way traffic.

Weather permitting, this current phase is expected to last until 5 pm on Monday, March 31, 2025. 

The City of Lake Charles understands the desire from the public for a speedy project. When projects are let out for bid, a third-party engineer includes an estimated project timeline. The contractor who was awarded the bid for this project is within the timeline estimated for this project.  

When complete, this project will represent a significant investment in road, sewer, drainage and quality of life infrastructure for the City.