Interstate 310
Encyclopedia
Interstate 310 is a short spur route
of Interstate 10 near New Orleans, Louisiana
, United States
. It runs south from Interstate 10 near the New Orleans International Airport
, intersects with U.S. Highway 61 and ends at the junction with U.S. Highway 90.
Interstate 310's southern terminus is at US 90, where it travels north through flat marshlands. The southernmost mile was originally built as part of Louisiana Highway 3127
, an inland bypass to Louisiana Highway 18
, and is cosigned with I-310. North of I-310's first interchange, LA 3127 leaves the interstate, as I-310 heads towards the Mississippi River
. After the next interchange, LA 18, Interstate 310 crosses the Mississippi River
via the Luling Bridge
(Hale Boggs Memorial Bridge), a cable-stayed bridge
connecting the towns of Luling
and Destrehan
.
North of the bridge, there is an interchange with LA 48. I-310 then proceeds to the Destrehan Swamp Bridge, a five-mile (8 km) bridge over environmentally sensitive wetlands between Destrehan, Louisiana
and the I-10 interchange. The northernmost two miles (3 km) of this bridge between the US 61 and I-10 interchanges was constructed using a method known as "end-on construction". This is a top-down technique in which construction platforms are mounted on concrete piles to avoid disrupting the environment below. From these platforms, the next set of piles and bridge viaducts are placed, allowing the platform to progress forward for the next set. The interstate terminates at I-10 just west of Kenner
.
, as part of Interstate 410, a southern beltway around the New Orleans metro area. In 1977, I-410 was cancelled and the two interstates were split into their current components. The Luling Bridge
was completed in 1983, one of the first parts of I-310 to open. I-310 was built through the 1980's and early 1990's and was completed on May 7, 1993, with the last section of construction being the Destrehan Swamp Bridge.
to New Orleans
. Another proposal in the Louisiana Statewide Transportation Plan proposes an extension of the Earhart Expressway
(Louisiana Highway 3139) westward from Dickory Avenue to Interstate 310 to serve as a freeway alternative to Airline Highway
(US 61) and I-10.
With discussions of extending I-510 across the Mississippi River, there is speculation of reviving the idea of a connection between I-310 and I-510.
Spur route
A spur route is a short road forming a branch from a longer, more important route . A bypass or beltway is never considered a true spur route as it typically reconnects with the major road...
of Interstate 10 near New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It runs south from Interstate 10 near the New Orleans International Airport
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is a Class B public use international airport in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, United States. It is owned by the City of New Orleans and is located 10 nautical miles west of its central business district. The airport's address is 900 Airline Drive...
, intersects with U.S. Highway 61 and ends at the junction with U.S. Highway 90.
Route description
Interstate 310's mileage and exit numbers increase from north to south, the opposite of the standard Interstate numbering scheme.Interstate 310's southern terminus is at US 90, where it travels north through flat marshlands. The southernmost mile was originally built as part of Louisiana Highway 3127
Louisiana Highway 3127
Louisiana Highway 3127 is a state highway in Louisiana that serves Ascension, St. James, St. John the Baptist, and St. Charles Parishes. It spans in a northwest to southeast direction. It parallels LA 18 along the west bank of the Mississippi River, providing a much shorter inland bypass of...
, an inland bypass to Louisiana Highway 18
Louisiana Highway 18
Louisiana Highway 18 is a state highway in Louisiana that serves Ascension, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Charles, and Jefferson Parishes. Called the Great River Road, it runs from west to east, parallel to the west bank of the Mississippi River, running from Donaldsonville to Gretna. It...
, and is cosigned with I-310. North of I-310's first interchange, LA 3127 leaves the interstate, as I-310 heads towards the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
. After the next interchange, LA 18, Interstate 310 crosses the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
via the Luling Bridge
Luling Bridge
The Luling Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge over the Mississippi River in St. Charles Parish, Louisiana. It is named for the late United States Congressman Hale Boggs. The bridge was dedicated by Governor David C...
(Hale Boggs Memorial Bridge), a cable-stayed bridge
Cable-stayed bridge
A cable-stayed bridge is a bridge that consists of one or more columns , with cables supporting the bridge deck....
connecting the towns of Luling
Luling, Louisiana
Luling is a census-designated place in St. Charles Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 11,512 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Luling is located at and has an elevation of ....
and Destrehan
Destrehan, Louisiana
Destrehan is a census-designated place in St. Charles Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 11,260 at the 2000 census. It was named after Jean N...
.
North of the bridge, there is an interchange with LA 48. I-310 then proceeds to the Destrehan Swamp Bridge, a five-mile (8 km) bridge over environmentally sensitive wetlands between Destrehan, Louisiana
Destrehan, Louisiana
Destrehan is a census-designated place in St. Charles Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 11,260 at the 2000 census. It was named after Jean N...
and the I-10 interchange. The northernmost two miles (3 km) of this bridge between the US 61 and I-10 interchanges was constructed using a method known as "end-on construction". This is a top-down technique in which construction platforms are mounted on concrete piles to avoid disrupting the environment below. From these platforms, the next set of piles and bridge viaducts are placed, allowing the platform to progress forward for the next set. The interstate terminates at I-10 just west of Kenner
Kenner, Louisiana
Kenner is a city in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, United States, and a suburb of New Orleans. The population was 66,702 at the 2010 census....
.
History
Interstate 310 was originally planned, along with Interstate 510Interstate 510
Interstate 510 is a short spur route of Interstate 10 within in eastern New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. It runs south from Interstate 10, intersects with U.S. Highway 90, and ends at the Almonaster Boulevard interchange, near the NASA Michoud Assembly Facility...
, as part of Interstate 410, a southern beltway around the New Orleans metro area. In 1977, I-410 was cancelled and the two interstates were split into their current components. The Luling Bridge
Luling Bridge
The Luling Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge over the Mississippi River in St. Charles Parish, Louisiana. It is named for the late United States Congressman Hale Boggs. The bridge was dedicated by Governor David C...
was completed in 1983, one of the first parts of I-310 to open. I-310 was built through the 1980's and early 1990's and was completed on May 7, 1993, with the last section of construction being the Destrehan Swamp Bridge.
Future
Future plans for I-310 are to relocate the southern end of the interstate to connect with the future extension of Interstate 49 from LafayetteLafayette, Louisiana
Lafayette is a city in and the parish seat of Lafayette Parish, Louisiana, United States, on the Vermilion River. The population was 120,623 at the 2010 census...
to New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
. Another proposal in the Louisiana Statewide Transportation Plan proposes an extension of the Earhart Expressway
Earhart Expressway
The Earhart Expressway, named for Frederick Earhart, is a state highway located in both Jefferson Parish and Orleans Parish, Louisiana. It is also designated as Louisiana Highway 3139 or LA 3139...
(Louisiana Highway 3139) westward from Dickory Avenue to Interstate 310 to serve as a freeway alternative to Airline Highway
Airline Highway
Airline Highway is a divided highway in the U.S. state of Louisiana, built in the 1930s and 1940s to bypass the older Jefferson Highway. It carries U.S. Highway 61 from New Orleans northwest to Baton Rouge, and U.S. Highway 190 from Baton Rouge west over the Mississippi River on the Huey P. Long...
(US 61) and I-10.
With discussions of extending I-510 across the Mississippi River, there is speculation of reviving the idea of a connection between I-310 and I-510.