Weird interchages on the east side of New Orleans

[bandit957]

What's the deal with the series of 3 unusually wide interchanges along I-10 on the east side of New Orleans? These are east of the built-up part of the city, and they lead to secluded roads. In fact, one of the interchanges appears to be completely abandoned. Why?

What's going on there?

[NE2]

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

[lamsalfl]

Michoud Blvd. pronounced "Me-shoo" (Exit 248) is utilized.
The middle one has never been used by anyone.
The furthest east one was open for about 7 years as Exit 251 for BSNWR tourism.  It has been closed since Katrina and onramps destroyed (see aerial for that mystery).

[vdeane]

I wonder why they're so wide.  Seems like a waste of space, especially when compared to the other interchanges nearby

[Urban Prairie Schooner]

I wonder why they're so wide.  Seems like a waste of space, especially when compared to the other interchanges nearby

That section of I-10 was constructed earlier than the section west of present I-510. The interchanges have a wide footprint to accommodate the overpasses, so that I-10 can pass under the cross roads. (See I-10 @ LA 641 in Gramercy.) The roads in eastern NO west of 510 pre-existed the interstate so it presumably made more sense to have I-10 pass over them.

[Tom958]

I always thought it was to avoid the sight distances for traffic stopped at the top of the offramps being obstructed by the bridge parapets. That S-curve ramp configuration with a wide sweep away from the mainline is common throughout Louisiana, though these interchanges are an extreme case because of the great length of the overpasses, presumably due to it being better to build a longer bridge as opposed to trying to stabilize fill material on the approaches.

I suppose sight distances are better where the freeway crosses over the road, so the wide sweeps aren't necessary west of I-510.

[jbnv]

Long bridges are common down here because the soil isn't very good.

[cbalducc]

Why were these interchanges built in the first place?

[UptownRoadGeek]

Why were these interchanges built in the first place?

That area was originally planned to be developed all the way to the Twin Span instead of just past the 510. Enter environmentalists.

[Urban Prairie Schooner]

Why were these interchanges built in the first place?

To serve a proposed suburban "master planned" development. This was the origin of the name "New Orleans East." Each interchange was to connect to a proposed major arterial street.  Due to several factors including a poor 1980s economy and environmental/flood concerns, the proposed development never materialized and today of course it is all a wildlife refuge/protected land.  Just as well in light of the effects of Hurricane Katrina.

[Alps]

Why were these interchanges built in the first place?

Enter environmentalists.

Enter common sense. I don't see all that much demand to live in New Orleans. The existing wards on that side of the city aren't exactly desirable land, either.

[UptownRoadGeek]

Enter common sense. I don't see all that much demand to live in New Orleans. The existing wards on that side of the city aren't exactly desirable land, either.

Common sense, not necessarily. At the time Betsy was probably the worst that people could imagine happening so major flooding was probably an afterthought. Even now, with what has been learned from Katrina, it wouldn't be the necessarily a bad idea if the area wasn't protected and the demand existed.

Also, we're talking about a completely different era. Up until the 1980's oil bust there was demand. Actually there has been a strong increase in interest in the city over the last three years. Enter transplants.
Actually there are a few desirable areas still scattered about the one ward that exists on that side of town.

[Alps]

Enter common sense. I don't see all that much demand to live in New Orleans. The existing wards on that side of the city aren't exactly desirable land, either.

Common sense, not necessarily. At the time Betsy was probably the worst that people could imagine happening so major flooding was probably an afterthought. Even now, with what has been learned from Katrina, it wouldn't be the necessarily a bad idea if the area wasn't protected and the demand existed.

Also, we're talking about a completely different era. Up until the 1980's oil bust there was demand. Actually there has been a strong increase in interest in the city over the last three years. Enter transplants.
Actually there are a few desirable areas still scattered about the one ward that exists on that side of town.

I'm more thinking that absent Katrina, and yes, with more modern thinking, you would just as soon infill existing areas rather than develop out the east side.

[lamsalfl]

NOLA was rebuilt and the city continues to grow, nearing all-time MSA population highs...also seeing new industries (medical, Hollywood South, digital media, etc.) that we couldn't have dreamed of 10 years ago.  Start inward and grow outward.  The Warehouse District, Lower Garden District, chunks of Midcity, the Bywater and the Marigny were far from respectable just 10 years ago.  Now it may cost $500k just to buy a beat down shotgun house.

[codyg1985]

But that still doesn't justify developing the land around these interchanges. Did they ever decide what to do with the Slx Flags at the I-10/I-510 that was decimated after Katrina? At one time, I heard that it was going to be converted into a sports training facility.

[jbnv]

Six Flags New Orleans is still closed and festering.

[lamsalfl]

There's no need to justify anything, because it's a moot point.  Noone is trying to develop the land around these interchanges, and it would take Congress to pass legislation lifting the NWR. 

[brownpelican]

Six Flags New Orleans is still closed and festering.

There were several plans to develop the site, including an outlet mall and a new entertainment complex similar to Six Flags...but plans fell through (the Nagin effect).