The Huey P. Long Bridge is an amazing structure. Built in the thirties, it has withstood a tremendous increase in traffic.
This writer once asked a highway department spokesman if, when the structure was built, they even thought the traffic across it would increase so much. That traffic today includes bumper to bumper vehicles in both directions, many of which are 18-wheelers with heavy loads, plus railroad cars going in both directions, all of which are heavily loaded and more numerous than we have ever seen in the past.
“No,” he replied. I shuddered, being one who crosses the mighty river over this questionable structure at least once a week. But then, more modern bridges haven’t stood up under the load while our’s has stood high and mighty.
One of the scariest aspects of crossing the “Huey” is the narrownest of it. Two cars side by side on either of the eastbound or westbound roadways have little more than a couple feet to clear the car in the lane next door to get through. And then, there are a few curves in the bridge that make it scarier.
We once had a blowout on the top of the structure. Fortunately, it did not produce an accident. Our van maintained its lane and, with astute driving, ahem, it was driven to the base of the bridge and out of the way on the vacant land on the side without encroachment on other vehicles.
But fear not. There is hope ahead.
The bridge is being enlarged to three bigger lanes and a parking lane in each direction. What a relief. We will no longer be trapped in a narrow lane between the center line and the side rail.
Of course, we hope travellers will still adhere to the safe driving techniques they used when the structure provided a scary way to cross the Mississippi River.
It makes you want to drive carefully.
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