AASHTO Journal, 21 June 2013
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development this week opened to traffic the Huey P. Long Bridge in New Orleans four months ahead of schedule and under budget after completing a $1.2 billion widening project that began in 2006.
“Today we celebrate the rebirth of a great bridge, which symbolizes the continued rebirth of this great city,” said DOTD Secretary Sherri LeBas of the project ribbon cutting. “We are so proud to deliver these amazing infrastructure improvements earlier than promised and under budget.”
The bridge originally opened in 1935, serving as the longest railroad bridge in the world and the first Mississippi River crossing for both rail cars and automobiles. With time, the two highway lanes in each direction began to be too narrow for many of the 50,000 drivers to cross the bridge comfortably each day. With the recently completed upgrades, the bridge now has the capacity to carry twice that number per day through an expansion to three lanes in each direction, complete with shoulders (which were not a feature previously). The improvements have increased the safety of the bridge, as it now can serve as an evacuation route during emergencies such as hurricanes while also allowing drivers to feel more comfortable with the additional space.
The Huey P. Long Bridge Widening project is one of 16 major transportation projects outlined in the Louisiana Transportation Infrastructure Model for Economic Development (TIMED) Program, which is the biggest transportation program in state history. The $4.6 billion program aims to enhance economic development and improve vital evacuation routes and safety through transportation infrastructure investment. The TIMED Program is funded by a .04-cent per gallon gas and motor fuels tax, approved in 1989 by public vote.
Additional information on the Huey P. Long Bridge project is available here.
