Interstate 510 Louisiana

History

Southern Terminus

Northern Terminus

Routing

Interstate 510, cosigned with Louisiana 47 throughout, is a short freeway linking Interstate 10 with the Jazzland amusement park, Chalmette, and the industrial areas of eastern New Orleans. The northern end is a stack interchange, while the south end is located at the northern approach to the Louisiana 47 intracoastal waterway bridge (the Chalmette Bridge). The freeway opened to traffic during the 1980s.

Future Aspirations

Since the Chalmette Bridge is not Interstate standard, it is only part of Louisiana 47 and not Interstate 510. The bridge is planned for expanded due to traffic demand, and the bridge expansion is listed as a future megaproject in the Louisiana Statewide Transportation Plan Update under Item LSTP-029.

Interstate 510 (along with Interstate 310 in the west) once was planned as part of a greater Interstate 410 outer belt for the New Orleans metropolitan area. A map of proposed Interstate 410 appeared in the official Louisiana state maps from the mid-1960s. The Interstate 410 plan was deferred (if not outright canceled), but it has recently reemerged as a megaproject included in the Louisiana Statewide Transportation Plan Update under the same project that would expand the Chalmette Bridge (LSTP-029). Proposals to link Interstate 510 with Interstate 310 west of the city have been floated at various intervals over the past several decades; as a result of this report, the connection is again being considered by the Louisiana DOT as a possible solution to perennially clogged Interstate 10 between the airport and downtown. The connection is listed as part of Interstate 510, not Interstate 310.

Such a connection would be addition to proposed freeways along Florida Avenue northeast of downtown New Orleans and the Louisiana 3139/Earhart Expressway Extension west to the airport. This extension of Interstate 510 would resurrect the old Interstate 410 proposal and provide a third freeway connection. It is not clear how this new freeway would connect to Future Interstate 49; more than likely, Interstate 510 would end at Interstate 49/Business U.S. 90, while Interstate 49 would continue west to meet Interstate 310. Even with this freeway's appearance in the Statewide Transportation Plan Update, it is unclear if such a freeway would actually be constructed.

The proposed Florida Avenue freeway would connect to Interstate 10 and Interstate 610 near the eastern terminus of Interstate 610 and continue east to Interstate 510. It is not clear if this freeway will become an easterly extension of Interstate 610.

History

Upgrades of Louisiana 47 (Paris Road) to Interstate 510 were completed in late 1992.¹

	Southern Terminus - Approach to Intracoastal Waterway Bridge - Chalmette, Louisiana Perspective from Interstate 510 south Squally weather and overcast skies set the tone for the southern terminus of Interstate 510 at Almonaster Boulevard/Exit 2C. Louisiana 47 continues southward over the Intracoastal Waterway into Saint Bernard Parish. The state highway comes to an end at the parish seat of Chalmette, six miles to the south. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (08/12/02). Perspective from Louisiana 47 north Exit 2C guide signage of the first Interstate 510 can be found two miles to the south along Louisiana 47 northbound. The state highway travels through some light industrial areas between Chalmette and the Intracoastal Waterway. All the while the highway is divided carrying four lanes of travel. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (08/12/02). Northbound Louisiana 47 as it begins the ascent over the Intracoastal Waterway to Interstate 510. Exit 2C is still 1.50 miles from this point. Photo taken by Steve Hanudel (08/15/05). This is the one-mile advance sign for Exit 2C on northbound Louisiana 47. The crest of the Intracoastal Waterway bridge, which is not part of Interstate 510, looms ahead. Photo taken by Steve Hanudel (08/15/05). Ascending to the crest of the Intracoastal Waterway, Louisiana 47 northbound passes under the superstructure of the truss bridge. Exit 2C is situated at the base of the bridge. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (11/06/99). The Intracoastal Waterway bridge is not built to Interstate standards, including the lack of shoulders. Of course, several other bridges with similar deficiencies currently serve other Interstate highways. Photo taken by Steve Hanudel (08/15/05). Descending toward the northbound beginning of Interstate 510 and Exit 2C. This interchange serves Almonaster Boulevard specifically, with access to Old Gentilly Road granted in either direction of the boulevard. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (08/12/02). Descending from the Intracoastal Waterway bridge, the swamps east of New Orleans come into view. Photo taken by Steve Hanudel (08/15/05). At the base of the bridge, Interstate 510 begins and is acknowledged for the first time on reassurance guide panel of the Exit 2C sign bridge. The next interchange consists of Exits 2B-A, the ramps of which serve Junction U.S. 90/Chef Menteur Highway in 0.75 miles. Photo taken by Steve Hanudel (08/15/05). Passing under Almonaster Boulevard, northbound Interstate 510 and Louisiana 47 continue toward the next exit, Junction U.S. 90. Photo taken by Steve Hanudel (08/15/05). Northern Terminus - Interstate 10 - New Orleans, Louisiana Perspective from Interstate 510 north A simple diamond interchange represents the second to last interchange of Interstate 510 northbound at Exit 1B/Lake Forest Boulevard. Interstate 10/Exit 1A is just one mile to the north of this point. Photo taken by Steve Hanudel (08/15/05). The freeway becomes elevated for the final mile prior to the Interstate 10 interchange. An amusement park is located east of Interstate 510. Photo taken by Steve Hanudel (08/15/05). Interstate 510/Louisiana 47 find themselves on a viaduct between Lake Forest Boulevard and Interstate 10. The control cities of Exit 1A are Slidell - 18 miles to the east, and New Orleans, whose downtown is 15 miles to the west. Photo taken by AARoads (06/01). A second Exit 1A/Interstate 10 sign bridge is posted to advise motorists of the upcoming interchange. Photo taken by Chris Patriarca (05/18/03). All traffic movements to Interstate 10 depart from Exit 1A in this northbound scene. Louisiana 47 continues northward to the Little Woods community of the city of New Orleans. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (11/06/99). A stack interchange serves the northern terminus of Interstate 510. Traffic turning westward utilizes the highest flyover of the junction. Interstate 10 eastbound travelers encounter one more New Orleans exit before the highway crosses into the Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge. Photo taken by Jeff Royston (05/27/00). A second perspective of the Interstate 10 sign bridge of Exit 1A of Interstate 510 northbound. The next Interstate junction of westbound is that of Interstate 610, located at Exit 238, eight miles to the west. Photo taken by AARoads (06/01). Perspective from Louisiana 47 south Louisiana 47 expands to four lanes as it begins Interstate 510 in this southbound scene. The Interstate 10 westbound ramp is unnumbered. North of this stack interchange Louisiana 47 travels through residential areas. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (08/12/02). Exit 1A of Interstate 10 eastbound is the first official exit of Interstate 510 southbound. In the background is the Jazzland Amusement Park complex, located off of Exit 1B/Lake Forest Boulevard. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (08/12/02). Perspective from Interstate 10 west The first guide sign of the northern terminus of Interstate 510/Exit 246A/B, is fastened to the Michoud Boulevard overpass (Exit 248). Photo taken by Eric Stuve (12/18/02). Interstate 10 maintains six lanes through the Greater New Orleans area from the Lake Pontchartrain Bridge through to downtown. This westbound photograph shows the 0.75 guide signage for Interstate 510 south/Louisiana 47. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (08/02/02). Traffic from Michoud Boulevard merges in as Interstate 10 progresses toward Interstate 510 at the same sign bridge Pictured above. Michoud Boulevard is the first residential exit of Interstate 10 within the city of New Orleans. The freeway to this point has been within the actual city limits since crossing the Orleans/Saint Tammany Parish line over Lake Pontchartrain. Photo taken by Eric Stuve (12/18/02). Now within one half mile of Interstate 510/Louisiana 47/Exit 246 on Interstate 10 westbound. The centerline highway lighting of Interstate 10 begins at the Michoud Boulevard interchange and continues westward toward Exit 241. Eventually trees will accompany the lighting fixtures. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (08/02/02). Wintertime view of the one-half mile sign bridge of Interstate 510 south/Louisiana 47. Traffic does not pick up in intensity along Interstate 10 for another three to four miles. Speed limits are posted at 60 mph through New Orleans along Interstate 10. Photo taken by Eric Stuve (12/18/02). Traffic to both Interstate 510 south and Louisiana 47 north utilize a single off-ramp to Exit 246 from Interstate 10 westbound. Interstate 10 proceeds another six miles through northeastern New Orleans before entering the central city at milepost 240 via the Inner Harbor Navigational Canal Bridge. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (08/02/02). Second view of the departure of Interstate 510 from Interstate 10 west. Louisiana 47 allows Interstate 10 travelers access to the Lake Pontchartrain waterfront to the north. The highway straddles the lakefront as Hayne Boulevard. Photo taken by Eric Stuve (12/18/02). Continuing beyond the gore of Exit 246, the ramp to Interstate 510 south/Louisiana 47 splits between the A and B counterparts. The NASA Michoud Assembly Facility is situated to the east of Exit 2C of Interstate 510. Photo taken by Eric Stuve (12/18/02). A look at the Interstate 510/Louisiana 47 sign bridge Pictured above from the Exit 246 ramps themselves. A stand of palm trees appears to have been planted in the time between the two photographs. New Orleans is one of the most humid cities in the United States. Photo taken by Chris Patriarca (05/18/03). Next Five Interstate Junctions for Interstate 10 west Interstate 610 8 miles at New Orleans, LA Interstate 910/ Interstate 49 future 12 miles at downtown New Orleans, LA Interstate 310 26 miles at Kenner, LA Interstate 55 36 miles at LaPlace, LA Interstate 12 87 miles at Baton Rouge, LA Perspective from Interstate 10 east 0.75 miles west of Exits 246A/B for Interstate 510 south and Louisiana 47 on Interstate 10 east. The lighting fixtures remain from the previous set of signs that were in place here. The Interstate 10 pull-through panel was not replaced when the current sign was installed. Photo taken by Chris Patriarca (05/18/03). One quarter mile west of the Interstate 510 northern terminus. Interstate 10 maintains six lanes all the way to the Lake Pontchartrain crossing. The speed limit is posted at 60 mph throughout the city limits of New Orleans. Photo taken by Chris Patriarca (05/18/03). Unlike the westbound direction, traffic to Interstate 510/Louisiana 47 southbound utilizes an independent ramp (Exit 246A) from that of Louisiana 47 north. Traffic to Little Woods departs via a cloverleaf ramp in one-quarter mile. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (08/12/02). A drier perspective of the Exit 246A sign bridge of Interstate 10 eastbound. The final New Orleans city interchange of Interstate 10 east is Exit 248 for Michoud Boulevard, two miles to the east. Photo taken by Chris Patriarca (05/18/03). Next Three Interstate Junctions for Interstate 10 east Interstate 12/ Interstate 59 21 miles at Slidell, LA Interstate 110 74 miles at D'Iberville, MS Interstate 65 125 miles at Mobile, AL

Sources:

1. Interstate 510 @ Wikipedia.org.

Page Updated May 21, 2006.