The most spectacular structure in St. Charles Parish will be the site of one of its most exciting events of the year Saturday.
It’s the annual United Way of St. Charles’ Bridge Run over the Hale Boggs Bridge between Luling and Destrehan.
As a money-making affair for one of our major charitable contributors, it’s an exciting affair for the many who have been taking part in it since the unique bridge’s completion.The bridge is rare, to say the least.
Drivers on Interstate 10 and flyers who are landing at Moisant Airport don’t miss it.
It was the first cable-stayed bridge built in the United States. Its suspended structure includes a 1,200-foot span over the Mississippi River navigation channel. There are also side spans of 495 and 508 feet. Two approach spans make the large steel structure 2,744 feet long.
Runners in the event love the view of the river and spectacular scenery that makes St. Charles a water wonderland. The openness of the world’s greatest river makes the Bridge Run one of the most invigorating athletic events of the year here and elsewhere.
The Hale Boggs Bridge has had its problems.
Steel in the towers rusted faster than expected. A protective coating on the cables failed, which allowed water to seep into them and caused corrosion that could not be fixed. As a result, they were replaced with stay cables.But the bridge has been a delight for travelers going east and west in St. Charles Parish over the Mississippi River. Just going by and viewing its unusual structure is a delight to many.
Its importance this week is the race ahead. Runners will be gathering at the starting point on the river.
Registration for the run is available at United Way, 13207 River Road in Luling. Fee is $35 early and $45 on the day of the race.
It will be a great time to view a great parish in an unusual way – on a race across one of the rarest bridge structures in the United States.
Enjoy it whether you run or not.
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