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[texaskdog]

Was in Louisiana last month and cross the Lake Ponchatrain bridge because it was there and I like bridges.  But it doesn't seem to serve much purpose....not many people live there and it connects to little.  Anyone know the thinking of why it was built and its intent?  It does seem to generate revenue since there were 7 speed traps on it.

[DeaconG]

Looks like someone wanted to make money off of ferry services and artificial islands for homesites (think Venetian Causeway in Miami-Dade):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Ponchartrain_Causeway

Also looks like they aren't the longest bridge anymore...the Chinese, once again!

[brownpelican]

Are you referring to the Causeway Bridge?

If so, that bridge is the main commute route between western St. Tammany Parish and Metairie/New Orleans. That bridge has it's fair share of traffic, enough that they are contemplating building a third span sometime in the future.

Speaking of the Chinese, Causeway officials are disputing China's claim, since they say a good chunk of the bridge doesn't actually go over water.

[DeaconG]

^Probably...it's been years since I was in that area (1977)...I wasn't aware that there were two bridges with the same name.

[UptownRoadGeek]

Was in Louisiana last month and cross the Lake Ponchatrain bridge because it was there and I like bridges.  But it doesn't seem to serve much purpose....not many people live there and it connects to little.

It connects the largest metro in the state to the fastest growing region in the state. There are easily 1,000,000 people on one side of it and another 100,000 on the other.

[Ace10]

The Lake Pontchartrain Causeway is one of a whole lot of bridges in Louisiana and is the longest of all of them. Some other ones are the Bonnet Carre Spillway and the Twinspans, both of which carry I-10. They also run over the lake to the west and east of New Orleans, respectively. Those are the major three ways out of the Greater New Orleans area by crossing the lake, though US 11 does cross the lake, and US 90 comes close. I also believe the Causeway is the only major route out of New Orleans that doesn't have a number - at least that I know of.

Like some people posted above, it's the primary route for those living on the "Northshore" in St. Tammany Parish, and can also be used in the event of a hurricane evacuation.

[Anthony_JK]

^Probably...it's been years since I was in that area (1977)...I wasn't aware that there were two bridges with the same name.

They aren't....the Pontchatrain Causeway connects Metarie and Kenner with the Northshore cities of Covington and Mandeville; the Twin Span carry I-10 east of NOLA to Slidell.

Plus, I remember seeing an early plan for the Interstate system (circa around 1960) which showed the Causeway proposed as carrying I-55.


Anthony

[brownpelican]

Was in Louisiana last month and cross the Lake Ponchatrain bridge because it was there and I like bridges.  But it doesn't seem to serve much purpose....not many people live there and it connects to little.

It connects the largest metro in the state to the fastest growing region in the state. There are easily 1,000,000 people on one side of it and another 100,000 on the other.

Make that 200,000-plus in St. Tammany Parish. Tangipahoa Parish has 100,000-plus.