Interstate 55
Interstate 55 links the greater New Orleans area with Hammond and Jackson, Mississippi along a north-south route between I-10 at Laplace and the Mississippi state line near Kentwood. The southern 23 miles of the freeway elevate over canals and bayous between Lakes Maurepas and Pontchartrain.
Interstate 55/U.S. 51 and Old U.S. 51 (Frontage Road) parallel one another across Pass Manchac. This view looks south at the 1957-bridge for Old U.S. 51 and the adjacent 1977 bridges for I-55. - 05/09/2015
The first segment of Interstate 55 to open in Louisiana was the U.S. 51 bypass of Ponchatoula (Exits 23 to 28) in 1960. The second stretch of freeway opened between Arcola and the Mississippi state line. Construction between those two segments continued until late 1968. Elevated portions of I-55, south of Ponchatoula, opened first in 1960 with just two lanes for U.S. 51 and by 1977 with four overall lanes as I-55.
Interstate 55 Louisiana Guides
North - Laplace to Hammond - 47 photos
North - Hammond to Mississippi - 55 photos
South - Hammond to Laplace - 44 photos
scenes
This gunshot riddled assembly directed traffic back toward LaPlace from Rudduck. All signs at this diamond interchange were replaced by 2008.
11/06/99
A short access road links Old U.S. 51 with the adjacent Interstate 55/U.S. 51 viaducts near Ruddock.
05/09/15
Replaced by 2008, this shield assembly directed travelers to the northbound entrance ramp for I-55 from the west end of the access road. This movement would only be used for traffic turning around from I-55 south back to Ponchatoula.
06/26/01
11/20/08
Old U.S. 51 is simply signed as "Frontage Road" from the access road at Exit 15. The interchange serves the nearby Port Manchac Distribution Center at North Pass.
11/20/08
Shields and guide sign assembly posted at the northbound entrance ramp for I-55/U.S. 51 from Manchac. The freeway continues eight miles to U.S. 51 Business on the south side of Ponchatoula.
11/20/08
An overhead directs traffic to the southbound on-ramp to Ruddock, LaPlace and Interstate 10 east to New Orleans.
10/20/08
A vintage shield for I-55 was posted at the on-ramp from Manchac. Interstate 55/U.S. 51 immediately rise to span Pass Manchac from this exchange.
06/26/01
References:
History of I-55 based upon Louisiana official state highway maps, Gousha Louisiana maps and NationalBridges.com.
Photo Credits:
- Alex Nitzman: 11/06/99, 06/26/01, 05/09/15
- AARoads: 10/20/08, 11/20/08
Page Updated Friday June 30, 2023.