When built, these were known as the Greater New Orleans Bridges. The state DOT held a contest to name the bridges. The Louisiana Legislature officially adopted the Crescent City Connection name in 1989. These are the last bridges over the Mississippi River when heading south. Beyond this, the remaining four river crossings are via ferry boat.
The bridges are currently configured with 4 lanes in each direction, plus 2 HOV lanes. The older span has 4 lanes heading southbound out of New Orleans. The newer span has 4 lanes heading northbound into New Orleans, plus 2 reversible HOV lanes. The northbound span is a toll bridge, which cost one dollar for a standard car. This is one of only two toll bridges remaining on the Mississippi River.
This bridge complex is to be part of what Louisiana is calling I-49, an extension of the existing I-49 that loops through lower Louisiana and back into New Orleans from the south. Louisiana has been signing sections of this road as Future I-49. The state petitioned AASHTO to use the I-49 designation on the bridges and a freeway section south of New Orleans. AASHTO refused that request, but offered I-910 to be used until I-49 is completed. So far, I-910 signs have not been put up. The road is officially Business US-90. The next (3) photos below are crossing the older span southbound. The next (5) photos are taken from under and west of the south end of the bridges. The final two photos are taken of the northbound trip just as the sun is setting.
During the Katrina Disaster, Neo-Nazi Police Chief Arthur Lawson of Gretna, Louisiana, blocked the south end of these bridges to prevent the thirsty, starving, and dying people of New Orleans from sharing the stockpiles of supplies that were located in Gretna. Chief Lawson even fired machines guns at the crowd and turned dogs loose on people who had no food or water for days. Nearly 2000 people died in the Katrina Disaster, many less than 2000 feet from safety had they been allowed to cross the bridge.
