Interstate 310 (Louisiana)

Route description

I-310's southern terminus is at US 90, where it travels north through flat marshlands. The southernmost mile (1 mi) was originally built as part of LA 3127, an inland bypass to LA 18, and is cosigned with I-310. North of I-310's first interchange, LA 3127 leaves the Interstate, as I-310 heads towards the Mississippi River. After the next interchange, LA 18, I-310 crosses the Mississippi River via the Hale Boggs Memorial Bridge (Luling–Destrehan Bridge), a cable-stayed bridge connecting the towns of Luling and Destrehan.

North of the bridge, there is an interchange with LA 48. I-310 then proceeds to the LaBranche Wetlands Bridge, a 5 mi bridge over environmentally sensitive wetlands between Destrehan and the I-10 interchange. The northernmost 2 mi of this bridge between the US 61 and I-10 interchanges was constructed using a method known as "end-on construction". This is a top–down technique in which construction platforms are mounted on concrete piles to avoid disrupting the environment below. From these platforms, the next set of piles and bridge viaducts are placed, allowing the platform to progress forward for the next set. The interstate terminates at I-10 just west of Kenner.

History

I-310 was originally planned, along with I-510, as part of Interstate 410, a southern beltway around the New Orleans metro area. In 1977, I-410 was canceled and the two Interstates were split into their current components. The Hale Boggs Memorial Bridge was completed in October 1983 and was the first portion of I-310 to open. The west bank approach, extending to US 90 in Boutte was opened in March 1988, followed in July 1991 by the east bank approach as far as US 61. I-310 was completed on May 7, 1993 when the final section between US 61 and I-10, including much of the LaBranche Wetlands Bridge, was opened to traffic.

Future

Future plans for I-310 are to extend the interstate to connect with the future extension of I-49 from Lafayette to New Orleans. Another proposal in the Louisiana Statewide Transportation Plan proposes an extension of the Earhart Expressway (Louisiana Highway 3139) westward from Dickory Avenue to I-310, to serve as a freeway alternative to I-10.

Exit list

References

References

1. Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development. (September 2015). "GIS Data". Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development.
2. Remley, Deirdre. (n.d.). "Wetlands and Aquatic Ecosystem". [[Federal Highway Administration]].
3. Weingroff, Richard F.. (November 18, 2015). "The Battles of New Orleans: Vieux Carré Riverfront Expressway (I-310)". Federal Highway Administration.
4. Thibodeaux, Ron. (October 7, 1983). "Goodbye Ferry, Hello New Bridge, St. Charles Cheers". The Times-Picayune The States-Item.
5. (March 23, 1988). "Roemer to Speak at Opening of I-310 Link". The Times-Picayune.
6. Scallan, Matt. (October 1, 1992). "Spring Opening Set as I-310 Work Enters Last Leg". The Times-Picayune.
7. Scallan, Matt. (May 8, 1993). "Last Link of I-310 Completed". The Times-Picayune.
8. heraldguide. (2007-11-07). "Preferred route of I-49 South set, but still time to offer comments".