Hale Boggs Memorial Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hale Boggs Memorial Bridge |
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| Coordinates | 29°56′33″N 90°22′25″W / 29.94250°N 90.37361°W |
| Carries | 4 lanes of  I-310 |
| Crosses | Mississippi River |
| Locale | Destrehan, Louisiana and Luling, Louisiana |
| Official name | Hale Boggs Memorial Bridge |
| Other name(s) | Luling-Destrehan Bridge |
| Maintained by | LA DOTD |
| ID number | 024504503700001 |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Cable-stayed bridge |
| Total length | 10,700 feet (3,261 m) |
| Width | 76 feet (23 m) |
| Longest span | 1,220 feet (372 m) |
| Clearance below | 158 feet (48 m) |
| History | |
| Opened | October 6, 1983 |
| Statistics | |
| Daily traffic | 40,000 (2008) |
The Hale Boggs Memorial Bridge is a huge bridge that crosses the Mississippi River in St. Charles Parish, Louisiana. It is also known as the Luling–Destrehan Bridge. This impressive structure is a cable-stayed bridge, which means it uses strong cables to hold up its main deck.
The bridge is named after Hale Boggs, who was a United States Congressman. It was officially opened on October 8, 1983. The bridge connects Louisiana Highway 18 on one side of the river to Louisiana Highway 48 on the other. When it was built, the Hale Boggs Bridge was one of the first major cable-stayed bridges in the United States.
In 1993, the Hale Boggs Bridge became part of Interstate 310. This made it the first cable-stayed bridge to be included in the Interstate Highway System. The bridge helps connect major highways like Interstate 49 and Interstate 10 near New Orleans.
Building the Bridge: Design and Materials
The Hale Boggs Bridge was designed by different engineering teams. The main part of the bridge and its western approach were designed by Frankland and Leinhard. The foundations and eastern approach were designed by Modjeski and Masters.
The bridge has a special design. Its towers and main structure are made from weathering steel. This type of steel rusts in a way that creates a protective layer. This layer gives the bridge a unique bronze color. It also helps the bridge last longer with less maintenance. The color was chosen to blend in with the muddy waters of the Mississippi River.
The bridge uses many strong cables arranged in a fan shape. These cables help support the bridge deck. Over time, the original cables needed to be replaced. A project to install new, stronger cables began in 2009.
The MV George Prince Ferry Disaster
The Hale Boggs Bridge was still being built on October 20, 1976. On that day, a ferry called the M/V George Prince was crossing the Mississippi River. It was traveling between Destrehan and Luling. These are the same communities the bridge now connects.
Tragically, the ferry was hit by a large tanker ship called the SS Frosta. The ferry capsized, meaning it flipped over in the water. Seventy-three passengers and five crew members lost their lives. Only eighteen people survived the accident. There is a special memorial on the East Bank in Destrehan. It honors all the people who died in this sad event.
Fun Events at the Bridge
The Hale Boggs Bridge is not just for cars! It's also a place for community events.
- United Way Bridge Run: Each spring, the United Way of St. Charles hosts an annual 5K/10K Bridge Run. Runners and walkers start on the East Bank of the Mississippi River. They finish their race at the West Bank Bridge Park. This event brings many people together for fun and exercise.
- Battle For The Paddle: In the fall, the United Way of St. Charles also holds its "Battle For The Paddle." This is a fun cooking competition. Teams compete to make the best jambalaya and gumbo. The event takes place right under the Hale Boggs Bridge at the West Bank Bridge Park.
