U.S. 61 Bonnet Carré Spillway Bridge

The U.S. 61 Bonnet Carré Spillway Bridge is a concrete trestle structure crossing a flood control facility with separate lanes for eastbound and westbound traffic. The roadway is divided into two distinct spans to accommodate vehicles moving in opposite directions.

The original bridge structure opened in 1935 as part of U.S. Route 61 during the early development of regional highways. A second span was added in 1984 to handle rising traffic volumes between the two metropolitan areas.

The bridge links communities along the Airline Highway and serves as a key transportation route between New Orleans and Baton Rouge. For residents, crossing here is part of their everyday commute between these two cities.

The eastern span carries traffic toward New Orleans while the western span handles vehicles heading toward Baton Rouge. The separated lanes make it straightforward to navigate in the correct direction for your destination.

The bridge crosses a spillway engineered to divert excess Mississippi River water into Lake Pontchartrain during flood emergencies. Many drivers pass over this critical flood protection structure without realizing its role in safeguarding nearby communities.