My Huey P.

Less than seven miles from the Huey P. Long Bridge and with a backdrop of fantastic weather all weekend long, A.J. Catfish Bourgeois Park in Westwego hosted the 11th Annual Westwego Cypress Swamp Fest on Nov. 9-11. The local festival featured entertainment from bands and dance troupes, crafts and carnival rides.

The Huey P. Long Public Outreach Office manned a booth at the festival. There we met with local residents of all ages and talked with them about the bridge widening project and how it will affect them. We handed out free postcards, cups, pens and kick balls for the kids.

One of the things that stood out most to me this weekend was an elementary-aged girl we met. She walked right up to our display, and without hesitation pointed at a picture of the bridge and said, “That’s my bridge. I live right by it and see it everyday.” She’s right. It is her bridge. That’s one of the things we find when we go out into the community and talk about the project – we all think it’s our bridge.

So we want to hear your stories. What makes the Huey P. your bridge? Send us an email (to info@hueypbridge.com) with your contact information, age and your personal bridge story. Make the subject line "My Huey P." Of course, all submissions received will not be returned and become property of Louisiana's TIMED Program and may be used in future promotional campaigns. 

The Westwego Cypress Swamp Fest was the first of what we hope to be many upcoming public appearances. We had a great time sharing stories – from hearing residents recall the first time they crossed the bridge, to accounts of uncles, fathers and grandfathers who helped on the original construction – its clear the bridge is part of our local history. With the widening project in full swing, it’s also a part of the future.

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.