The Hale Boggs bridge is named after Hale Boggs, a long time Congressman from Louisiana. Boggs was Majority Leader in 1972 when the aircraft he was aboard disappeared over Alaska. The bridge is located between Luling and Destrehan, Louisiana. Prior to the bridge being open, a ferry boat operated over this crossing. On October 20, 1976, the ferry George Prince collided with a tanker, resulting in 78 fatalities. This accident has been used as a justification for several other river crossings in Louisiana that might not have otherwise been built.
The Hale Boggs bridge became part of Interstate I-310 in 1993. The bridge is painted bronze, which makes it look black on all but the brightest days. The bronze color was picked because it would go well with the color of the muddy Mississippi River.