Louisiana's Famous Bridges and Your Journey to New Orleans.
Louisiana's landscape is defined by water – the mighty Mississippi River, countless bayous, lakes, and waterways that have shaped the state's history, culture, and development. Connecting these water-divided communities are some of America's most impressive and historically significant bridges. Everyday the Big Easy welcomes guests who arrive via these engineering marvels, each with its own story to tell. Whether you're driving across the state or approaching from neighboring regions, understanding these bridges helps you appreciate both the journey and the destination.
The Crescent City Connection: New Orleans' Gateway
Location: Connecting the East Bank and West Bank of New Orleans across the Mississippi River
Route to the French Quarter: Direct access via US-90 Business to the French Quarter, approximately 3 miles to Esplanade Avenue
The Crescent City Connection is undoubtedly the most important bridge system for guests traveling to Jean Lafitte House. This twin-span cantilever bridge system, completed in phases between 1958 and 1988, serves as the primary Mississippi River crossing in New Orleans.
Historical Significance: The original span, now called the Eastbank Expressway Bridge, was completed in 1958 and represented a major advancement in connecting New Orleans' divided communities. The addition of the Westbank Expressway Bridge in 1988 created the current twin-span system that handles over 160,000 vehicles daily.
Engineering Marvel: At 1,575 feet long with a main span of 1,575 feet, these bridges rise 135 feet above the Mississippi River, allowing large ships to pass underneath while maintaining vital transportation links.
Your Journey: If you're arriving from the West Bank, Algiers, or areas south and west of New Orleans, the Crescent City Connection provides the most direct route to the French Quarter. Take the US-90 Business exit toward the French Quarter, follow the signs to Vieux Carré, and you'll reach this historic neighborhood within minutes of crossing the river.
The Causeway: One of the World's Longest Bridge’s
Location: Connecting Metairie/New Orleans (South Shore) to Mandeville (North Shore) across Lake Pontchartrain
Route to the French Quarter: Via I-10 East to French Quarter exits, approximately 12 miles to the French Quarter
The Lake Pontchartrain Causeway holds the Guinness World Record as the world's longest continuous bridge over water, stretching an impressive 23.83 miles across Lake Pontchartrain. This engineering wonder consists of two parallel spans that seem to disappear into the horizon.
Historical Development: The original southbound span opened in 1956, revolutionizing travel between New Orleans and the rapidly developing North Shore communities. The parallel northbound span was completed in 1969 to handle increasing traffic demands.
Engineering Achievement: The bridge uses over 9,000 concrete pilings and required innovative construction techniques to build across the lake's challenging conditions. The bridge's gentle curve prevents drivers from seeing either shore from the center point, creating a unique "over-water highway" experience.
Travel Route: Guests traveling to the French Quarter who are arriving from the North Shore communities like Mandeville, Covington, or Slidell will likely use the Causeway. Upon reaching the South Shore, take I-10 East toward New Orleans, exit at French Quarter/Vieux Carré, and follow signs to reach this historic neighborhood.
Huey P. Long Bridge: The Historic River Crossing
Location: Crossing the Mississippi River between Jefferson Parish and the West Bank, approximately 5 miles upriver from downtown New Orleans
Route to the French Quarter: Via US-90 East to I-10 East, then French Quarter exits, approximately 8 miles to the French Quarter
The Huey P. Long Bridge, completed in 1935, stands as both a transportation vital link and a monument to one of Louisiana's most colorful political figures. Named after the legendary Governor and Senator Huey P. Long, this cantilever truss bridge was a Depression-era public works project that provided crucial employment while creating an essential river crossing.
Historical Context: Built during Huey Long's governorship, the bridge represented his vision of modernizing Louisiana's infrastructure. At the time of its completion, it was the longest railroad bridge in the world and featured innovative design elements that allowed both railroad and automobile traffic.
Architectural Features: The bridge rises 135 feet above the Mississippi River with a total length of 4.4 miles, including approaches. Its distinctive steel truss design makes it easily recognizable and a favorite subject for photographers capturing New Orleans' industrial heritage.
Travel Considerations: While the Huey P. Long Bridge can be used to reach the French Quarter, the Crescent City Connection typically provides a more direct route for most travelers. However, guests coming from areas like Kenner, Metairie's western sections, or River Parishes might find this bridge convenient.
Hale Boggs Memorial Bridge (Luling Bridge): River Parishes Connection
Location: Spanning the Mississippi River between Luling and Boutte in St. Charles Parish
Route to the French Quarter: Not a direct route – would require US-90 East through Jefferson Parish, approximately 25 miles to the French Quarter
The Hale Boggs Memorial Bridge, also known as the Luling Bridge, serves the River Parishes west of New Orleans. Completed in 1983, this cable-stayed bridge was named after Louisiana Congressman Hale Boggs, who disappeared in an Alaska plane crash in 1972.
Engineering Innovation: This bridge represented a shift toward modern cable-stayed design, featuring a 1,222-foot main span that was considered cutting-edge for its time. The bridge's height of 153 feet accommodates river traffic while its cable-stayed design reduces material costs compared to traditional suspension bridges.
Regional Importance: The bridge serves communities in St. Charles, St. John the Baptist, and St. James parishes, providing crucial access to employment and services in the greater New Orleans area.
Travel Note: While this bridge connects to highways that eventually lead to New Orleans, it's not typically the most efficient route to the French Quarter unless you're specifically traveling from the River Parishes communities it serves.
Sunshine Bridge: Mid-River Connection
Location: Crossing the Mississippi River between Donaldsonville (Ascension Parish) and St. James Parish
Route to the French Quarter: Via LA-70 to I-10 East, approximately 60 miles to the French Quarter
The Sunshine Bridge, completed in 1963, serves as a vital connection point roughly halfway between New Orleans and Baton Rouge. This cantilever truss bridge was named after the Sunshine Span Company, which operated a ferry service at this location before the bridge's construction.
Historical Role: The bridge replaced a ferry service that had operated since the early 1900s, dramatically reducing travel time between the east and west banks in this agricultural region known for sugar cane production.
Specifications: With a main span of 876 feet and total length of 8,076 feet including approaches, the Sunshine Bridge rises 120 feet above the Mississippi River.
Travel Perspective: Guests using this bridge to reach the French Quarter are typically coming from north Louisiana, Mississippi, or other distant locations where this represents part of a longer journey via I-10.
Horace Wilkinson Bridge: Baton Rouge's Modern Marvel
Location: Spanning the Mississippi River in Baton Rouge, connecting East and West Baton Rouge parishes
Route to the French Quarter: Via I-10 East, approximately 80 miles to the French Quarter
The Horace Wilkinson Bridge, completed in 1968, serves Louisiana's capital city and represents one of the more modern river crossings in the state. Named after a prominent Baton Rouge businessman and civic leader, this cable-stayed bridge handles significant interstate traffic.
Modern Design: This bridge features a contemporary cable-stayed design with a main span of 1,235 feet, making it one of the longest cable-stayed bridges in the United States when it was built.
Traffic Significance: As part of the I-10 corridor, this bridge carries substantial through-traffic between Texas and the Eastern United States, as well as serving the greater Baton Rouge metropolitan area.
Route Relevance: Guests traveling from Baton Rouge or points north and west via I-10 will cross this bridge on their way to the French Quarter, typically continuing on I-10 East directly to New Orleans.
John James Audubon Bridge: Newest River Crossing
Location: Connecting Pointe Coupee and West Feliciana parishes across the Mississippi River
Route to the French Quarter: Not a practical route for most travelers to the French Quarter
The John James Audubon Bridge, completed in 2011, is Louisiana's newest major Mississippi River crossing. Named after the famous naturalist and artist who spent time in Louisiana, this cable-stayed bridge serves the rural parishes north of Baton Rouge.
Modern Engineering: This bridge represents state-of-the-art cable-stayed design with a main span of 1,583 feet, making it one of the longest cable-stayed bridges in the Western Hemisphere.
Limited Relevance: Due to its location, this bridge would not typically be part of any practical route to the French Quarter in New Orleans.
Gramercy Bridge: Industrial Heritage
Location: Crossing the Mississippi River between Gramercy and Wallace in St. John the Baptist Parish
Route to the French Quarter: Via US-61 South to I-10 East, approximately 35 miles to the French Quarter
The Gramercy Bridge, a vertical-lift bridge completed in 1995, primarily serves industrial traffic between chemical plants and refineries on both sides of the river in this heavily industrialized section of the River Parishes.
Specialized Function: This bridge features a unique vertical-lift design that allows it to be raised to accommodate river traffic, particularly the large industrial vessels that serve the petrochemical facilities in the area.
Travel Consideration: While this bridge can provide access to routes leading to New Orleans, it's primarily used for local industrial and commercial traffic rather than general tourism or commuting.
St. Claude Avenue Bridge: Local New Orleans Connection
Location: Crossing the Industrial Canal in New Orleans, connecting the French Quarter area to St. Bernard Parish
Route to the French Quarter: Very close to the property, approximately 2 miles from the French Quarter
The St. Claude Avenue Bridge is significant for French Quarter visitors because of its proximity to this historic neighborhood. This drawbridge crosses the Industrial Canal and connects the French Quarter/Marigny area with the Lower Ninth Ward and St. Bernard Parish.
Local Importance: While smaller than the major river crossings, this bridge serves an important local function and is part of the everyday landscape that French Quarter visitors might encounter during their stay.
Historical Context: The Industrial Canal itself was completed in 1923 as a shipping channel connecting the Mississippi River to Lake Pontchartrain, and various bridges have served this crossing over the decades.
Regional Bridges: Extended Louisiana Connections
Historic Caddo Lake Bridge: Located in far northwest Louisiana near the Texas border, this bridge serves the Caddo Lake region but has no practical connection to travel routes to New Orleans.
Burrs Ferry Bridge: Located in Vernon Parish in central Louisiana, this bridge crosses the Sabine River near the Texas border and would not be part of any typical route to Jean Lafitte House.
Planning Your Journey to the French Quarter
Understanding these bridges helps you appreciate both the engineering achievements that connect Louisiana's communities and the practical routes available for reaching New Orleans' historic French Quarter.
Most Direct Routes:
From the West Bank/Algiers: Crescent City Connection to French Quarter
From the North Shore: Lake Pontchartrain Causeway to I-10 East
From Baton Rouge: I-10 East via Horace Wilkinson Bridge
From the River Parishes: Huey P. Long Bridge or Hale Boggs Memorial Bridge, depending on location
The Bridge to Your New Orleans Experience
Each of these bridges represents not just a means of transportation, but a gateway to the unique culture and history that awaits you in New Orleans. Whether you arrive via the impressive span of the Causeway, the historic iron work of the Huey P. Long Bridge, or the modern elegance of the Crescent City Connection, you're following routes that have connected communities and facilitated commerce for decades.
At Jean Lafitte House, we're proud to welcome guests who arrive by these various routes, each bringing their own stories and perspectives to our historic French Quarter property. Our staff can provide detailed directions from any of these bridges and help you understand the rich transportation heritage that makes your New Orleans visit possible.
Contact Jean Lafitte House for personalized directions from your specific route and discover how Louisiana's impressive bridge network can bring you to the heart of New Orleans' most historic neighborhood.
