Why doesn’t Louisiana have more Mississippi River bridges? Curious Louisiana investigates.

File photo: December 1, 1935 The New Huey P. Long Bridge across the Mississippi River When this $13,000,000 structure is completed December 1, 1935. It is located a mile and a half above New Orleans at Nine MilePoint; a combination railroad, vehicular and pedestrian crossing, toll free. From the top of the steel superstructure at the center to the bottom of the central pier, the bridge measures more than 400 feet high; having two railroad tracks (for use by Southern Pacific trains); two 18 foot concrete roadways and two sidewalks. With the approaches it is 4.4 miles longand extends 3,524 feet across the Mississippi at a height of 135 feet above the high water level. Modjeski, Masters and Case are the designers. The Huey P. Long forms part of the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad system and is municipally-owned. The bridge forms a juncture for U.S. highways 90 and 61 as they approach New Orleans. …………….. All rights released. Credit optional McDaniels, Bureau of New Orleans News New Orleans Association ofCommerce, P.O. Box 1460.