The town of New Orleans located in the state of Louisiana boasts about the most hectic metropolitan area, bustling port and its rich multi-lingual as well as cross cultural history. The city has a load to offer in terms of entertainment, fun and parties. There are some important bridges in New Orleans that connect the town to rest of the continent. Following are a few New Orleans bridges that are well-known for their use and historical architecture:
Crescent City Connection
The Crescent Bridge, previously known as the Larger New Orleans Bridge is 4,093 meters in length; 28 meters wide (westbound) and 16 meters in width (eastbound). Development of the bridge started in 1954 and that was opened in 1958 and at this point of time, it was actually the longest cantilever bridge of the Earth. The daily traffic load on the eastbound part is approximately 180,000.
Claiborne Avenue Bridge
The Claiborne Avenue Bridge which is also referred to as the Judge William Seeber Bridge, is a vertical lift bridge built over the Industrial Canal. Louisiana Office of Roads built and opened the bridge for cars in 1957. The bridge has suffered numerous natural calamities including a barge in 1993 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
Norfolk Southern Lake Pontchartrain Bridge
The Norfolk Southern Lake Pontchartrain Bridge carries a single railway track of the Norfolk Southern Railway connecting New Orleans with Slidell. The bridge is 5.8 miles in length which makes it the longest railroad bridge of US and probably the longest Over Water Rail Bridge of the Earth. This bridge is typically utilized by the Norfolk Southern cargo trains.
Florida Avenue Bridge
The Florida Avenue Bridge over the Economic Canal is a vertical lift bridge accommodating two automobile lanes, one train line track and two paths. The bridge has derived its name from the Florida Avenue, one of the first four New Orleans bridges built in 1920s by the Port of New Orleans. Due to dangers causing to sea navigation, the old Florida Avenue Bridge was removed in 2000 and then the existing bridge with its strong steel structure was built in 2005.
I-10 Twin Span Bridge
I-10 Twin Span Bridge is also called the Twin Spans and it's incorporated 2 trestle bridges running parallel. The bridge connects the Lake Pontchartrain with Slidell. The bridge is 5.4 miles long and 60 feet in width. It suffered severe damage in 2005 by the strong hurricane Katrina and taking a look at its vulnerability to natural accidents, a call for reconstruction is under consideration.
St. Claude Avenue Bridge
St. Claude Avenue Bridge over the Commercial Canal is a bascule bridge with 4 automobile lanes. At first the bridge housed both auto tracks and railroads; however the railroad isn't there anymore. It is incorporated in the structure of the Industrial Canal Lock and it can be raised to assist the passage of sea traffic.
Almonaster Avenue Bridge
The Almonaster Avenue Bridge, constructed in 1919 is a bascule bridge with 2 vehicle lanes of the Almonaster Road and 2 Business Canal bound train line tracks. It happens to be one of the first 4 Bridges in New Orleans build by the Port of New Orleans.
Crescent City Connection
The Crescent Bridge, previously known as the Larger New Orleans Bridge is 4,093 meters in length; 28 meters wide (westbound) and 16 meters in width (eastbound). Development of the bridge started in 1954 and that was opened in 1958 and at this point of time, it was actually the longest cantilever bridge of the Earth. The daily traffic load on the eastbound part is approximately 180,000.
Claiborne Avenue Bridge
The Claiborne Avenue Bridge which is also referred to as the Judge William Seeber Bridge, is a vertical lift bridge built over the Industrial Canal. Louisiana Office of Roads built and opened the bridge for cars in 1957. The bridge has suffered numerous natural calamities including a barge in 1993 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
Norfolk Southern Lake Pontchartrain Bridge
The Norfolk Southern Lake Pontchartrain Bridge carries a single railway track of the Norfolk Southern Railway connecting New Orleans with Slidell. The bridge is 5.8 miles in length which makes it the longest railroad bridge of US and probably the longest Over Water Rail Bridge of the Earth. This bridge is typically utilized by the Norfolk Southern cargo trains.
Florida Avenue Bridge
The Florida Avenue Bridge over the Economic Canal is a vertical lift bridge accommodating two automobile lanes, one train line track and two paths. The bridge has derived its name from the Florida Avenue, one of the first four New Orleans bridges built in 1920s by the Port of New Orleans. Due to dangers causing to sea navigation, the old Florida Avenue Bridge was removed in 2000 and then the existing bridge with its strong steel structure was built in 2005.
I-10 Twin Span Bridge
I-10 Twin Span Bridge is also called the Twin Spans and it's incorporated 2 trestle bridges running parallel. The bridge connects the Lake Pontchartrain with Slidell. The bridge is 5.4 miles long and 60 feet in width. It suffered severe damage in 2005 by the strong hurricane Katrina and taking a look at its vulnerability to natural accidents, a call for reconstruction is under consideration.
St. Claude Avenue Bridge
St. Claude Avenue Bridge over the Commercial Canal is a bascule bridge with 4 automobile lanes. At first the bridge housed both auto tracks and railroads; however the railroad isn't there anymore. It is incorporated in the structure of the Industrial Canal Lock and it can be raised to assist the passage of sea traffic.
Almonaster Avenue Bridge
The Almonaster Avenue Bridge, constructed in 1919 is a bascule bridge with 2 vehicle lanes of the Almonaster Road and 2 Business Canal bound train line tracks. It happens to be one of the first 4 Bridges in New Orleans build by the Port of New Orleans.
About the Author:
Herald Moores has had an interest in landmarks in New Orleans for a number of years. He has written op-eds and editorial pieces for many online publications. For full information about New Orleans bridges come visit his site.
