 |
History |
 The construction of the John James Audubon Bridge between the historic districts of St. Francisville and New Roads is a project of great proportion for the state and the Department of Transportation and Development. For decades, people have envisioned what life would be like with a bridge connecting south Louisiana to the Feliciana parishes and communities, towns and cities to the north.
As a gateway, the Audubon Bridge has been long-awaited. The communities welcome the bridge’s construction. People are excited and ready to move beyond centuries of ferry crossings and longer commutes.
Naming the new bridge after John James Audubon is extremely significant to this project because it exemplifies the importance and preservation of the rich history and heritage of the region.
John James Audubon is a monumental figure to the people of Pointe Coupee and West Feliciana parishes. Audubon, one of the world’s most renowned artists, dedicated his life to painting all of the birds in America. He painted 32 of his famous works in his Birds of America series while residing at Oakley Plantation at St. Francisville as a tutor to Eliza Pirrie in 1821.
As these two parishes are widely regarded for their abundance of wildlife, amazing landscapes and preserved historic structures from the days of Audubon, it is only fitting that the new bridge be named in his memory.
The Louisiana legislature officially named the bridge after John James Audubon by ACT No. 483 in 1993.
|
| |
|
|
