A freeway linking U.S. 90 and southern Louisiana to Interstate 10 and metropolitan New Orleans, Interstate 310 is elevated throughout most of its trek. The southern terminus is a stub end, with an eventual extension planned south to the future Interstate 49. The northern terminus is located west of New Orleans International Airport at a enormous stack interchange; with airport expansion likely, the airport's runways may extend over Interstate 310, or the freeway may have to be relocated.
Interstate 310 is planned to extend south to Interstate 49; stub ramps are currently in place.
Along with Interstate 510, Interstate 310 once was planned as part of a greater Interstate 410 outer belt for the New Orleans metropolitan area; this 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.
History
Interstate 310 was considered as a possible designation for Louisiana 3139/Earhart Expressway; see that page for more details on that proposed but unused designation. In that capacity, Interstate 310 would have extended into downtown New Orleans as the Vieux Carre Expressway, an elevated riverfront highway passing through the French Quarter.
Origins of the never-built Vieux Carre Expressway date back to 1946 when New York transportation pioneer Robert Moses unveiled his "Arterial Plan for New Orleans". This freeway would begin at Interstate 10, following the Louisiana 3021/Elysian Fields Avenue corridor, then head southeast between the Mississippi River and Jackson Square to Business U.S. 90/Interstate 910. The Vieux Carre or Riverfront Expressway was Moses' most controversial element of the arterial plan. However, criticism of the idea did not emerge until October of 1964 when $25 million in funds was allocated to the 3.5-mile freeway project. At this time a 690-foot long, 98-foot wide, six-lane tunnel was already under construction. The subterranean roadwork began between Poydras and Canal Streets in the foundations of the 1967 opened Rivergate. From there a heated battle ensued between proponents of the Riverfront Expressway and community leaders. The freeway was to straddle the Mississippi Riverfront between Elysian Fields Avenue and the Pontchartrain Expressway. Opposition finally won out July of 1969.1
The Riverfront Expressway project was to tie directly into the Earhart Expressway (Louisiana 3139). A study in 1969 tried to reinforce the concept of an outer belt freeway system between the Riverfront and Earhart Expressways. The plan would also involve a new Mississippi River crossing uptown via Earhart Boulevard at Napoleon Avenue. The Earhart Expressway was to travel between Louisiana 49 (Williams Boulevard) near New Orleans International Airport eastward to the Pontchartrain Expressway via Earhart Boulevard. Following the cancellation of the Riverfront Expressway proposal, the Earhart Expressway was rescinded westward to the New Orleans city limits at the Jefferson Parish line. The portion of the highway within Jefferson Parish was constructed. However, ghost ramps remain for a never built interchange with Causeway Boulevard and from what looks to be a never built access road to U.S. 61 (Airline Highway) at Shrewsbury. The western terminus occurs at a partially built interchange with Louisiana 3154 (Dickory Drive). The eastern terminus transitions Louisiana 3139 into Earhart Boulevard en route towards downtown New Orleans. The state highway officially ends at the boulevard intersection with Monroe Street.
For much more detail, we recommend reading the chapter on the Vieux Carre Expressway in Tom Lewis' excellent book Divided Highways (1997). It details the freeway battle in great detail, providing a glimpse at the neighborhood and human impact of these freeways at the micro-level. 2 In addition, there are two excellent webpages that go into detail:
Moses' New Orleans (Fred Robertson) - In 1946, Robert Moses, the great freeway builder of New York, examined New Orleans and in November issued his report, "Arterial Plan for New Orleans." This site examines the impact of that report and the freeway plans on New Orleans.
ViewKeeper.Org: The Near Demise of the French Quarter - includes maps, diagrams, and photos to show the proposed yet unconstructed route of what would be known as Interstate 310/Vieux Carre Expressway from the 1950s and chronicled in the book, The Second Battle of New Orleans, most of which took place in the 1960s.
The modern version of Interstate 310 was constructed during the 1980s and early 1990s, with the last section of freeway opening in 1993. The Hale Boggs Memorial Bridge (cable stay design) over the Mississippi River opened in 1983.3 4
Most of the photos herein were taken prior to the destructive fury of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, which came ashore on the Gulf Coast in the late summer and fall of 2005. The storm affected the roads and highways of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Some of the scenes portrayed here may not still look this way today as a result.
Southern Terminus - U.S. 90/Future Interstate 49 - Boutte, Louisiana
Perspective from Interstate 310 south
The final mainline interchange of Interstate 310 is with Louisiana
3127 at Exit 10. The junction features a lengthy flyover from Interstate 310 northbound to Louisiana 3127
northbound. Interstate 310 draws to a close in 1.50 miles. Photo taken by Chris Patriarca (04/13/03).
Louisiana 3127 southbound traffic merges onto U.S. 90 in time
to see this one-half mile end signage for Interstate 310. Photo taken by Chris Patriarca (04/13/03).
Interstate 310 currently ends at U.S. 90 near the community of
Boutte. The terminus interchange presently is a half diamond with all southbound traffic utilizing a single ramp.
The sign bridge in this photograph depicts the lane allocation of the two mainline lanes as they prepare to end at
U.S. 90. To the left is a ramp stub for a future extension. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman/Adam Froehlig (11/12/99).
A severe thunderstorm about to strike, Interstate 310 southbound at
the same sign bridge and stub ramp. The roadway extension to the left will eventually continue Interstate 310 south
approximately two more miles to a new terminus at an extended Interstate 49. The
realization of this is still many years in the future, as Interstate 49 plans here remain in the preliminary
stages. Photo taken by AARoads (06/01).
The Interstate 310 ramp split for U.S. 90 east and west. U.S. 90
travels southwest from this point to Raceland, Houma, Thibodaux, and Morgan City. The highway upgrades to a
freeway in 14 miles. Photo taken by Chris Patriarca (04/13/03).
Perspective from U.S. 90 west
Future Interstate 49 is designated on westbound U.S. 90 between the Business U.S. 90/Westbank Expressway junction and Interstate 310. Photo taken by Steve Hanudel (08/15/05).
Continuing west, U.S. 90 approaches the junction with Interstate 310 (and Louisiana 3127 north to Donaldsonville) north to Interstate 10 and New Orleans International Airport. Photo taken by Steve Hanudel (08/15/05).
Westbound U.S. 90 reaches Interstate 310 north to Louisiana 3127 north to Donaldsonville and New Orleans International Airport. Photo taken by Steve Hanudel (08/15/05).
Perspective from U.S. 90 east
Approaching the southern terminus of Interstate 310 on U.S. 90 eastbound. The interchange also marks the southern terminus of Louisiana 3127. This lengthy state highway shares a brief overlap with Interstate 310 before departing via Exit 10. The Ascension Parish seat of Donaldsonville is 44 miles to the northwest. Photo taken by Jeff Royston (12/12/02).
Winds from the same thunderstorm depicted above howl in this northward scene from the shoulder of U.S. 90. The ramp stub of Interstate 310 southbound is complimented by one in the northbound direction as well. Photo taken by AARoads (06/01).
U.S. 90 eastbound at the northbound beginning of Interstate 310/Louisiana 3127. Interstate 310 will cross the Mississippi River in five miles and reach U.S. 61 near St. Rose in nine miles. Traffic continuing eastward on U.S. 90 will cross the Huey P. Long Bridge over the Mississippi River in 16 miles. Photo taken by AARoads (06/01).
Perspective from Interstate 310 north
Upon departing from the U.S. 90 interchange, Interstate 310 north almost immediately transitions into an elevated viaduct. Significant sections of Interstate 310 were constructed on a viaduct. Photo taken by Steve Hanudel (08/15/05).
The first interchange on northbound Interstate 310 is the split with Louisiana 3127. Cutting northwest toward Donaldsonville, Louisiana 3127 stays southwest of the Mississippi River. Interstate 310 aims northeast toward New Orleans International Airport. Photo taken by Steve Hanudel (08/15/05).
Northbound Interstate 310 and Louisiana 3127 split at this junction. From here, Interstate 310 prepares to cross the Mississippi River on a cable stay bridge. Photo taken by Steve Hanudel (08/15/05).
The Mississippi River Bridge comes into view on northbound Interstate 310. Photo taken by Steve Hanudel (08/15/05).
The Hale Boggs Memorial Bridge (also known as the Luling-Destrehan Bridge) was constructed along with Interstate 310, but it opened well in 1983, well before the final segment of freeway opened in 1993.3 It is one of the few cable stay bridges in the Southeast, and it cost $135 million to build in the early 1980s. Photo taken by Steve Hanudel (08/15/05).
A sprawling symmetrical stack interchange facilitates traffic movements between Interstate 310 and U.S. 61 at Exit 2. This interchange is almost completely elevated due to the swampy nature of the area landscape. Featured in this photograph is the departure of the Exit 2 ramp and three mile guide sign for Interstate 10. Photo taken by Steve Hanudel (08/15/05).
Passing through the U.S. 61 and Interstate 310 symmetrical stack, there are no further exits until the Interstate 10 interchange. From here, Interstate 310 north follows an elevated viaduct over the Labranche Wetlands for the final distance. Photo taken by Steve Hanudel (08/15/05).
Shortly after leaving the symmetrical stack interchange of U.S. 61/Exit 2, Interstate 310 northbound sees this graphical overhead for the terminus with Interstate 10 (Exit 1). Mainline traffic is defaulted to Interstate 10 eastbound, as the highway's primary role is to bring southern Acadiana Parish traffic to New Orleans via U.S. 90 to the southwest. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (06/01).
Within one half mile of the northern terminus of Interstate 310. The city limits of New Orleans are 10 miles to the east; the capital city of Baton Rouge is 57 to the northwest. Photo taken by Chris Patriarca (04/13/03).
The split of Exit 1/Interstate 10 west and the mainline Exit 1A/Interstate 10 east at the north end of Interstate 310. The ramp to Baton Rouge is the highest of this elevated stack interchange. Traffic utilizing this ramp will see the next interchange with the southern terminus of Interstate 55 in ten miles (Exit 210 of Interstate 10). Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (06/01).
Perspective from Interstate 10 west
The last exit of New Orleans metro on Interstate 10 westbound is Exit 221 to Loyola Drive and the city of Kenner. Interstate 10 intercepts the stack interchange of Interstate 310 in 1.25 miles, with both highways traveling through low bayou country from there south and west. Photo taken by Eric Stuve (12/18/02).
Westbound split of Interstate 10 with Interstate 310 south/Exit 220. The main function of Interstate 310 is the connection to U.S. 90 for points southwest including Houma, Morgan City, and Raceland. Otherwise the freeway provides a needed Mississippi River crossing between Destrehan and Luling while also serving some of the western reaches of the New Orleans metropolitan area such as Saint Rose and Boutte. Interstate 10 and 310 constitute part of the world's longest continuous highway viaduct. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (10/22/03).
This view of the Interstate 10 and Interstate 310 junction is afforded from westbound Interstate 10 northwest of the international airport. Photo taken by Steve Hanudel (08/15/05).
Next Five Interstate Junctions for Interstate 10 west
Between the southern terminus of Interstate 55 and Interstate 310, Interstate 10 travels over ten miles of uninterrupted viaduct. All the while, next to no structures exist within the landscape, as the bridges cross over the southwestern fringes of the Lake Pontchartrain and associated wetlands. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (10/22/03).
A second view of the Interstate 220/two mile guide sign on Interstate 10 eastbound. One of many summertime thunderstorms is in progress over the city of Kenner and Lake Pontchartrain. The panel depicted sees a greenout for Boutte and Houma. Presumably Boutte was added later to the original control city of Houma. Photo taken by AARoads (08/12/02).
In addition to Interstate 310 connecting Interstate 10 with U.S. 90, it also provides alternate access to the New Orleans/Louis Armstrong International Airport via the nearby U.S. 61. The auxiliary guide signage is for the next two interchanges of Interstate 10 beyond Interstate 310. Photo taken by AARoads (10/22/03).
The pervasive stack interchange of Exit 220 coming into view, Interstate 10 is now within one half mile of the northern terminus of Interstate 310. Interstate 310 in conjunction with Interstate 510 make up what would have been the western and eastern reaches of the never built Interstate 410 outer belt of New Orleans metropolitan area. Photo taken by AARoads (10/22/03).
The longest continuous viaduct continues southward along Interstate 310 while Interstate 10 prepares to return to dry land within the city of Kenner. This elevated stack interchange is built over a swampy quagmire. Interstate 310 sees another impressive stack interchange with similar circumstances southward at Exit 2/U.S. 61. Photos taken by Alex Nitzman (11/06/99) and Jeff Royston (05/24/06).
Next Three Interstate Junctions for Interstate 10 east
