The heck with the FL panhandle

[Isaac-1]

If you can make sharp 90 degree corners on 2 lane surface streets with no shoulders (highway zig zags over couple of blocks on rural state highway narrow lanes just west of the draw bridge) there is a near level back way around that crosses a weight limited (15 ton straight truck, 25 ton semi, last time I was across it in my coach) old draw bridge (about 16 ft I think vertical clearance, not marked) on LA 378 by Sam Houston Jones state park.


see https://goo.gl/maps/ts5hetCM2BU2 for street view of first of 2 corners

[Solask]

Planned to use the Walmart off the I-210 in Lake Charles.. coming from the east

[Solask]

Originally Posted by Isaac-1

If you can make sharp 90 degree corners on 2 lane surface streets with no shoulders (highway zig zags over couple of blocks on rural state highway narrow lanes just west of the draw bridge) there is a near level back way around that crosses a weight limited (15 ton straight truck, 25 ton semi, last time I was across it in my coach) old draw bridge (about 16 ft I think vertical clearance, not marked) on LA 378 by Sam Houston Jones state park.


see https://goo.gl/maps/ts5hetCM2BU2 for street view of first of 2 corners

If I go this route, it seems like normal construction on an otherwise level interstate with an I-210 eastbound lane closure over the Prien Lake bridge currently. All traffic will us the westbound lanes over the bridge on I-210.. ???
You reference almost being forced to use some old steep bridge.. Are you saying the I-10 bridge over Lake Charles is old and steep??? I’ve been over that and I don’t recall that.

[Isaac-1]

Here is a photo I found online of the I-10 bridge at the Calcasieu river in Lake Charles, judge for yourself, sure it is not as narrow or steep as some bridges, though it usually carries a heavy traffic load, which is even worse now due to I-210 construction. For decades the locals have considered it a test of when vehicles should be retired.

[Isaac-1]

I would not suggest the Wal-Mart at I-210 and Hwy 14 (Gerstner Memorial Blvd), crime rate is getting bad around there, plus that surface level intersection is one of the worst traffic bottlenecks in the Lake Charles area now. My sister in law lives just off Hwy 14 a few miles south of there so I drive by it often, certainly not a Wal-Mart I want to be at after dark anymore.


The Wal-Mart at I-210 and Nelson road is much much better

[Solask]

Originally Posted by Isaac-1

I would not suggest the Wal-Mart at I-210 and Hwy 14 (Gerstner Memorial Blvd), crime rate is getting bad around there, plus that surface level intersection is one of the worst traffic bottlenecks in the Lake Charles area now. My sister in law lives just off Hwy 14 a few miles south of there so I drive by it often, certainly not a Wal-Mart I want to be at after dark anymore.


The Wal-Mart at I-210 and Nelson road is much much better

Ahh, got it.. Appreciate your advice Isaac, and your patience in delivering it.

[Isaac-1]

If you are looking for a free / cheap place to spend the night, you might consider one of the Calcasieu Parish public parks with RV sites, $12 per night for water and electric, they have an online reservation system though it is hard to find. The 2 closest to I-10 White oak park, about 5 miles north of I-10 just east of Lake Charles, and Intracoastal park on the Intracoastal waterway just sound of the Ellender Bridge about 10 miles south south of Sulphur. White Oak park only has a handful of RV sites by the boat lunch so is often full, Intracoastal park has 30-40 and is often empty.

[Solask]

I-10 , I-12 from Navarre fl to Lake Charles la were great.. Maybe one or two short washboard sections but nothing major. Nice quiet evening in Lake Charles.

[HavingABlast]

We dry camped the night (sort of under) that bridge in Lake Charles in the Isle Of Capris Casino Parking lot (they have a semi separate lot for RV Parking. It was an okay spot for us. The next morning we drove into New Orleans. The bridge sure sounded like it could use some TLC.

[Solask]

Sitting in Van Horn TX for the night. So far I-10 has been great.. No worse than any other interstate. Just a few short sections westbound through LA area. Sailed through Houston Tuesday at 1pm at 50-60 MPH..No slowdowns. They’ve really fixed that stretch up..