Louisiana has a rich history, a lively culture, and beautiful natural vistas, including some of the country’s most impressive bridges. These bridges, whether driven over, viewed from a distance, or walked across, provide mesmerizing views, technical marvels, and intriguing stories. In this blog article, we will introduce you to Louisiana’s five most popular bridges and explain why you should include them on your schedule.
1. Horace Wilkinson Bridge
The Horace Wilkinson Bridge, the tallest bridge in Louisiana, rises 175 feet over the Mississippi River near Baton Rouge. Completed in 1968, it crosses six lanes of Interstate 10, providing a magnificent vantage point for river and city views. Known as the “New Bridge,” it stands out from the surrounding older Mississippi River Bridge and is infamous for traffic congestion during peak hours and special events.
2. Atchafalaya Basin Bridge
The Atchafalaya Basin Bridge, also known as the Louisiana Airborne Memorial Bridge, is the second-longest bridge in the United States and the fourteenth-longest in the world.
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The bridge crosses the Atchafalaya Basin for 18.2 miles, with two parallel spans completed in 1971 and 1973. The bridge, which spans a diverse environment of water, land, and animals, is a one-of-a-kind experience, decked with flags and plaques honoring Louisiana’s war veterans.
3. Huey P. Long Bridge
The Huey P. Long Bridge, named after the former Louisiana governor and senator, is the United States’ longest and tallest steel train bridge. It spans 4.4 miles across the Mississippi River in Jefferson Parish and was significantly expanded from 2006 to 2013, adding lanes, and train tracks, and improving overall infrastructure.
The bridge, which rises 135 feet above the river and serves as an important commercial and transportation connection, is an engineering wonder with gigantic steel trusses and arches.
4. Lake Pontchartrain Causeway Bridge
The Lake Pontchartrain Causeway Bridge, recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s longest continuous bridge over water, spans Lake Pontchartrain for 24 miles, connecting Metairie and Mandeville. The bridge, which consists of two parallel spans built in 1956 and 1969, has four traffic lanes and two exits that link to Madisonville and North Shore Beach.
It is a popular place for activities like fishing, boating, and kayaking because it provides beautiful views of the lake, wetlands, and animals, particularly around sunrise and sunset.
5. Crescent City Connection Bridge
The Crescent City Connection Bridge, which connects the east and west banks of the Mississippi River in New Orleans, is an iconic structure made up of three bridges: two cantilever bridges and one cable-stayed bridge. The Greater New Orleans Bridge, which was opened in 1958, was renamed in 1989 to symbolize the crescent shape of the river and the city.
It serves as a municipal icon, transporting over 150,000 cars every day and lit by thousands of lights at night. The bridge offers amazing panoramic views of the river and city, and it hosts spectacular events such as New Year’s Eve and Mardi Gras fireworks.