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Information:
The bridge is actually two parallel bridges, one for north bound traffic and one for south bound traffic. The longer of the two bridges is 23.873 miles long and these two bridges are supported by 9,500 concrete pilings.
The Southbound Lane, completed in 1956, is made up of 2243 separate spans, while the Northbound Lane, completed in 1969, is pieced together from 1500 longer spans. Seven cross-over lanes connect the two main sections and function as pull-over bays in emergencies. Although impressive, the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway bridge underscores the drawback of continuous spans, which is that they are not well suited for locations that require unobstructed clearance below.
Bascule Drawbridge:
The Lake Pontchartrain Causeway bascule drawbridge is manned 24/7/365 and drawbridge operators may be reached on VHF-16, which is the marine radio hailing and distress frequency, or contacted by telephone at 504.699.6217. Please schedule an opening time at least three hours prior to the opening time you desire.
Due to normal heavy vehicular traffic, the drawbridge is not oped during weekday commuting hours which include the hours between 5:30 am to 9:30 am and between 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
Driving Directions:
The bridge is located across Lake Pontchartrain from Metairie, Louisiana on the south shore and suburb of New Orleans to Mandeville, Louisiana on the north shore.
Location:
South Coordinates:
30.0202, -90.1540053 (Metairie, LA)
North Coordinates:
30.3656344, -90.0937842 (Mandeville, LA)
Elevation:
12 feet
Bridge Specification
Bridge Type:
Concrete Deck Concrete Bridge
Date Construction Began:
Jun 1955
Date Open:
Southbound Bridge, 30 August 1956
Date Open:
Northbound Bridge, 10 May 1969
Total Length:
23.875 miles
Deck Width:
31.5 feet
Largest Span Length:
180.1 feet;
Total Height:
Crosses:
Lake Pontchartrain
Clearance Above:
(Vehicle Clearance) 15 feet.
Clearance Below:
(Vessel Clearance) 10 feet above average lake water level.
Clearance Below:
(Vessel Clearance-low rises) 25 feet.
Four located at the 4, 12, and 20 mile markers from south shore.
Clearance Below:
(Vessel Clearance-high rise) 50 feet.
One located at 8 mile marker from south shore.
Clearance Below:
(Vessel Clearance-at Bascule when closed) 45 feet.
One located at 16 mile marker from south shore.
Cost to Build:
$56.00 million for the 1956 Southbound Span
Cost to Build:
$30.00 million for the 1969 Northbound Span
(m4bridge-concrete-la-pontchartrain-sign) Lake Pontchartrain Causeway Bridge
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