So I won't profess to be a historian and give deets on the bridge or its namesake; but what I will do is speak on is loving bridges and my experience on this bridge. Currently undergoing a facelift, the Huey P, as it's affectionately called, is a major thoroughfare to connect the WESTBANK to ELMWOOD; WEST to EAST!!! The bridge is appx 153 feet in height; it has commuter lanes and active train rails as well. The sight of the bridge can be daunting and a bit intimidating but it's quick for commuting and moving around. With the new renovation, it's shaping up to be more welcoming and less intimidating. This is great, I personally know a few folks who REFUSED to cross this bridge in the past because of its appearance. I've been told at some point as the trains cross the rails, they're expected/required to turn off their engines and just coast across. Something about safety, ehhhhhhh idk. I love bridges and this one gets some of my loving too. read more

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I'm probably one of the few who miss the original bridge this may be due to the fact that I never had to cross this bridge out of necessity, it was always a option I chose freely. The new modern renovations has completely removed the fear factor for many, it also removed the thrill for those of us who were hopeful that our approach to this bridge was in sync with a freight train loaded with thousands of ton of cargo slowly inching its way across this high-rise trestle bridge shaking and flexing the structure as well as our inner fears, the murky waters flowing far below this bridge further enhanced this nightmarish but exhilarating experience. This bridge is unique in a number of of ways, the spans carrying vehicular traffic is a little over 1.52 miles long but the gradually sloping train trestle extends more than 4.35 miles. I'm sure this bridge had the engineers scratching their heads back in 1935 while only using slide rulers and number two pencils to calculate the load ratings especially for the longest span at nearly 800 feet not to mention the fearless engineer who maneuvered the first freight train across this iconic structure. In 2006, shortly after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast, the State of Louisiana embarked on an unprecedented project to widen this 75-year-old civil engineering marvel. The $1.2 billion project celebrated its grand opening in June 2013 with new lanes in each direction and major railroad modifications. The project was a symbol of resilience of this great state's people. It's not the same and that's somewhat saddens me but the refurbishment and upgrades will ensure this engineering landmark will remain for many more generations to come, but they'll never experience this bridge as some of us have... read more

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It's not a scary bridge anymore. When I first moved here, traveling over it felt more like a ricktity tin can roller coaster at a traveling carnival. With it's much needed improvements and expansion, this bridge is now a pleasure to drive, Linking the Westbank at Causeway, it can prove to be a time saver when shooting over into various parts of town if you happen to be traveling , like myself, from Lafourche parish and parts beyond..... With it's erector set like construction, it can provide stunning photos.....a happy driver am I.. read more

JUNE 16, 2013....That is a date to remember for New Orleanians as that is the date the infamous Huey P finally grew up (or is it out?). The Huey P has given almost all residents of this area a frightening experience before. This must have been the narrowest bridge in the country with its two 9-ft lanes in each direction barely room enough for two cars trying to pass by each other. Throw in no shoulders and a train track running right down the middle of the bridge and you have a harrowing driving experience. Now the bridge is big, bad, and beautiful. It took SEVEN yrs to get this huge bridge project completed. Now there are three 11-ft lanes on each side and it even has shoulders now :) There are new trusses and wider supports. There is still the railroad tracks across the bridge of course but now no more worrisome drivers as it is easy breezy crossing this bridge. I will miss the days of the old bridge. I actually enjoyed driving across the Huey as I found it both fun and nerve-wracking to cross it. Oh well, we will always have our memories of those old trips across the bridge. read more

The Huey P. I have such memories of this bridge. My sadistic drivers ed teacher made me drive over you when I was a mere lad of 15. I was terrified, but I did gain valuable experience. As I grew older, I gained more respect for this bridge. It has the old style guardrail that allows you to see how high you really are. It is one of the major rail crossings over the Mississippi River. When you're stuck in traffic and a train is crossing the rhythmic shaking of the bridge can lull you to sleep. Now the state is widening the bridge which will cause it to lose some of its character, but actually make it safer. What will they do next, add shoulders on the Causeway? Keep the Huey P narrow! read more

Huey P Long Bridge - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me

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I have heard stories of this bridge for quite some time. The older ones who have lived here forever. My oldest nephew regaled me with his driving instructor still having him drive over this bridge as recently as two years ago. Now that is funny. He already had his permit and his father had already made him drive the Causeway Bridge. He passed the test. The history of the bridge can be found on Wikipedia here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huey_P._Long_Bridge_(Jefferson_Parish) which is quite detailed. The history of the making of the bridge seems as corrupt as the politics in Louisiana. I love how the design of the bridge, the way the railroad tracks start to rise by construction to make the pass of the bridge. It is totally understandable that they need more space to be able to rise up, and that the design has to be made differently than that of the roadway for the cars. I really like the aesthetics of it. This is not my favorite bridge, but it is fairly short and quick to cross, so this is not my most hated bridge. With the exception of the train tracks in the middle, this bridge reminds me of the I-5 bridge that goes from Portland, OR to Vancouver, WA, which only a few people will catch. That is one bridge that really rattles my nerves, and has the same construction. It is not as tall. read more

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First time over the new expanded bridge today! Wow! It's so nice. Gone are the memories of the super narrow scary bridge where a breakdown (or even slow truck) could ruin a whole trip. I do still need to get accustomed to the on and off ramps since I was so familiar with the old ways but small price to pay to sail across. read more

I've been adding stars to my previous reviews throughout the renovation process. Now that it is finally, officially 100% finished as of today (June 28 2013 - the day the final barricades were removed), I'll go ahead and give the good ol' Huey P Long Bridge 5 stars. Going back 4+ years when I first moved here, I would NOT cross this bridge. Then I started a job that basically required it... daily. It wasn't a pleasurable experience. Narrow lanes, crazy people driving along the center line dividing the 2 lanes, etc. Today? Nice new wider lanes, 3 lanes instead of 2, and OMG A SHOULDER! Seriously. I barely even notice the commute to & from work now. There were days in the beginning of the construction when it took at least 1.5 hours in traffic to get across the bridge. Now? A few minutes. Awesome. read more

Huey P Long Bridge - Eastbank-bound new lanes - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me

There wasn't any sense of adding a review of the Huey P Long Bridge until Sunday. That's when I gained a whole new perspective of crossing the bridge. We walked across the bridge (rather than run like many people were doing) to celebrate the end of the construction. After the race were the official opening ceremonies for the Huey P Wide. The view up and down the river as we crossed it was magnificent. And the bridge is now three lanes wide, with a breakdown lane. It won't be the white knuckle ride anymore that many remember in crossing the bridge. read more

Huey P Long Bridge - On top of the bridge - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me

I recently made my first few journeys across this bridge since the BIG renovations. WOW!!! what a huge difference!! No longer the TERRIFYING trek of my youth when my mom lived in Bridge City and I had to white-knuckle the drive in my old VW bug. The NEW and improved "Huey P" is smooth, wide and totally modern. A great way to get to the other side of the river and to connect with Hwy 90. Safe Travels Y'all!! read more

As a kid growing up on "The Wank" (That's Westbank for you non New Orleanians) this bridge was the scary option of going to the East Bank. The bridge went into use in 1935 and apparently cars were thinner then because the lanes were extremely narrow up until recently. There was also a small bend on the East bank side that made you swerve just to stay in your lane. Semi's passing Semi's? Forget about it! You were white knuckling whenever you passed a regular sized car. Some people would just drive in the middle of both lanes for fear of anyone passing them! Oh and don't get me started on getting stuck at the top during rush hour and a train came through!!(East and West bound lanes are divided by a train track on this bridge) The entire bridge would sway and my own fear of heights would begin to take hold. Thanks to a new expansion project all of that is changed. The bridge is wider, the traffic flows much better and the lanes coming of the bridger make everything easier. The bridge is actually nice. All of the bitching we all use to do is gone.....and I miss it. I WANT MY SCARY BRIDGE back!!!! But only in non traffic times. read more

It is a bridge. It is a fricken deathtrap because it is so narrow due to construction. The only reason I check-in here is so my wife will know what happened to me when an old lady runs me off the side. Raining conditions or if the guy next to you has been drinking, there's very little room to mitigate and adjust course. read more

Huey P Long Bridge - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me

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The most convenient way to cross the river between my workplace and my central office. The Huey P is fairly recently refurbished. It used to be quite scary, but I now find it quite pleasant. Tends to be less crowded than the CCC although if you're travelling to downtown this is obviously much less conveniently located. Be careful on windy days. Just about a year ago, a train blew off the tracks on the east bank side during a high-wind day. Nobody was injured but I'd probably stay away if these conditions repeated themselves if possible. read more

The Huey is the reason I don't sleep at night. It is the clown under the bed, the monster in the closet, the extra 10 pounds gained during the holidays, the cancelation of your favorite show mid-season. I made the mistake of driving it with two other anxious people, and all three of us started screaming in fear halfway across. I had to stop for a moment to take in the vapors when we were back on terra firma. I drive miles out of my way to avoid the Huey. Obviously. Accessibility notes: none. read more

From a nostalgic point of view, you kids got it easy! This bridge was point of reference if you were a good driver or pussy. This is where driving instructors would take the final test for students. The shake down if you will. This bridge used to make kids cry and nervous people have anxiety attacks. The skid marks, broken glass and pieces of car all long the sides told you this wasn't a bridge for wimps. And if you thought it was easy....wait till you would come up to the "curve". That section where the bridges used to line up when they first built it....unevenly. That curb was black with tire marks and chunks of rubber and hubcabs. No biggie if you had the two lanes to yourself...., if you shared the bridge with another driver...that is when you would make eye contact with the other driver to "size them up" if they were a skilled driver, or most of the time, sweating and white knuckling their steering wheel. That's when you had to worry about the curb. Im surprised there wasn't more reports of UFOs or injuries from those unlucky people that lived below the bridge from them hubcaps flying off thanks to that curb. Now that its all roomy and safe, and now not the only toll free bridge in the Greater New Orleans area, its just a bridge. Not the dreaded "Huey P." Now its the new Huey P. :-) If you know what I means. Eddie fun fact.... I got to pee on the bridge once during an accident at the highest point of the road. Couldn't hold my beer any longer. read more

Yes, I'm reviewing a bridge? Why? The same reason people climb Everest: BECAUSE IT'S THERE! Anyway, the Huey P. Long bridge is notorious for being an old bridge that links the Westbank to the Eastbank. The lanes are narrow, and you are sure that you are going to drive right off of the side one of these days, but it won't ever happen, so don't worry. Oh, and try not to freak out when the bridge sways in heavy breezes or shakes when a train is crossing it. That's all a part of it's charm, right? The first time I ever drove across it was for a driving class I took in high school. I was driving around, going where the man in the passenger seat told me to go, when the next thing I knew I was on the bridge! Up until then, I had only been a passenger, and that was bad enough. I kept my cool and crossed it, and then crossed it again when it was time to go back, but jeesh! Give a student driver a little warning, man! There is currently a project underway that is expanding the lanes of the bridge. I guess this is a good idea. It will surely make the bridge a lot less "scary". Even now, I avoid crossing it at night, even though I am more experienced with it. I'll be eager to see how different it is, once the expansion it said and done. read more

This is an old bridge that shakes, rattles, and I'm afraid its going to roll over into the river. The lanes are scary narrow and you always have the feeling somebody is going to ram into you that they are so near to you in the other lane. If you didn't have to use complete Jedi force focus to stay within the centimeters tolerance you get for your narrow lane to avert disaster you could enjoy the nice view of the Mississippi River and the East and West banks of the river while you cross the bridge but leave that for when you're a passenger and not a driver as I don't want you ramming into me while you look at scenery. read more

Good lord. One day I will have a job that does not require me to risk my life crossing this rickety piece of shit. The Huey P. Long was built in 1935, according to Wikipedia, and you can definitely tell. They're currently widening the bridge, so from 9 AM - 3 PM, only one lane is open. Mind you, the entire bridge is only 2 narrow lanes on each side (no shoulder, just a rusted pipe fence). What with the trucks taking up both lanes anyway, the train tracks running in between shaking the whole bridge, and the 200 foot drop to the Mississippi that you can clearly see, my morning and afternoon commutes generally have me petrified. One star for not having to pay a toll, though, to get to the West Bank. Another star for.... luck... let's pray these poles can hold me up until they finally finish the widening project. read more

Amazing how construction changes everything. Before crossing the Huey P was a nerve wracking event. Narrow lanes combined with unskilled drivers results in stress, panic, and road rage. The new, improved bridge is much, much better than it used to be. No longer do I fear death while driving over it! How's that for an endorsement? read more

The Huey P use to be the thrill-ride to take if you missed the glory days of Pontchatrain Beach's Zephyr. Who needs to pay for admission to an amusement park when you can just take a ride over a narrow bridge? With trucks and a sharp drop off the side? And if there was a train passing next to you then you also got that rickety and shaky feeling of the Zephyr as well. Well no more of that. New Orleans' last free roller coaster went the way of all of their amusement parks and, with that, one big piece of nostalgia for this native. Nobody will tell stories to their children of this new bridge. It's now just one big and generic bridge. read more

This is probably the best bridge that goes back and forth from the East Bank to the West Bank. Gone are the days when crossing felt like you were putting your life on the line. That old shaky bridge has now been renovated from the old 2 lanes to 3 lanes. Traffic is a lot less horrendous in the evening on this bridge, that and I don't ever see any cars breaking down on this one. When the Crescent city Connection traffic is bad I take this way as an alternate route home. In short new and improved bridge. Way better than the Crescent city Connection! read more

It's narrow and dangerous-feeling, but it's free. I think the construction project should do away with some of the decrepitude, but it certainly won't make it as nice as the CCC. read more

''My first and only time in New Orleans Louisiana was April 16, 2017. On this day My son and I had a walk thru the french quarter in New Orleans! , after disembarking from our caribbean cruise at the port of New Orleans we had ample time before we had to catch our plane home? So a nice stroll with a nice lunch and taking along a cup of coffee we chanced to find a empty park bench upon the Mississippi River with a nice view of the river with an awesome Beautiful Bridge to my right! This Bridge I'm told is the Huey P. Long Bridge which is named after a most controversial Louisiana politician and U.S. Senator of the day [1930's] ! A man both good and bad lived and loathed equally and died a violent death at the hand of an assassin! Only History than can judge this man? As for me I leave 5 stars *****! ''Thank you'' read more

I can't believe I haven't reviewed the Huey P. The renovations have been long overdue and provide drivers with a smooth and spacious driving experience. The lanes aren't extremely wide, but they accommodate today's larger cars much better than the original bridge's construction. Not only are the lanes wider and smoother, Bridge City and Harahan are easier to navigate as a result; the new construction has created efficiency in entering and exiting the bridge, so traffic is much lighter than it has been in the past. While the entire construction project isn't complete, the first phase was much needed and made all the traffic and construction cluster worth waiting for. It's a much nicer driving experience, so if you were afraid of the old, rickety, rusty bridge, fear not, the new improvements have made it possible for you to traverse the Mississippi at a nice 45 mph. Consider this your green flag start and get in there!!! read more

I sure hope the new construction is alot better then what the HP bridge is right now. But hey, you can't complain. I'll pass on this scary ass bridge any day to not be stuck on the CCC overpass during rush hour. Madness. read more