What the bridge – and this project – means to me
I can vividly remember the first time I drove across the Huey P. Long Bridge. With a white-knuckle grip on the steering wheel, shallow breaths and a nervous laugh, I carefully made my way across the Mississippi River from the West Bank. As a large truck passed me to the left, my grip tightened. When I finally made it to Clearview Parkway, I let out a sigh of relief. The ordeal was over. Though that was years ago, the memory has stayed with me.
As the new spokesperson for the bridge project, I am excited about the progress of construction. To the more than 50,000 cars that cross the 71-year-old bridge daily, it may not look like much has happened in the last year, but construction is ongoing. The piers are being widened to accommodate the expansion and railroad modifications are well underway.
I grew up on the West Bank and used the Huey P. rather than paying a toll. When the bridge widening is complete, an extra 20,000 cars will be able to cross the Huey, still toll free. I feel close to this project because it’s in my backyard. It’s in the place where I grew up. I’m excited to be a part of something this big, this historic.
Once complete, the bridge will stimulate economic development, improve emergency and hurricane evacuation and enhance connectivity between the East and West Banks – all of which are needed as the Greater New Orleans area continues to rebuild.
I am looking forward to meeting with business and community members in the months to come. I am eager to share with you information about the bridge project and how it will facilitate the growth of Jefferson Parish.
In the meantime, you can visit our new public outreach office in the Joseph S. Yenni Building in Elmwood at 1221 Elmwood Park Blvd., Suite 311. Come in, have a cup of coffee and address your concerns – I’m here to help.
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