CNR Bonnet Carré Spillway-Baton Rouge Bridge

The CNR Bonnet Carré Spillway-Baton Rouge Bridge is a railway crossing that carries Canadian National Railway tracks over the Bonnet Carré Spillway. The structure was built with wooden trestle supports to span across this water management channel in Louisiana.

The bridge opened in 1936 and created a vital railway connection between Baton Rouge and New Orleans through St. Charles Parish. This link allowed freight and passengers to move across a region that was previously difficult to cross by rail.

The bridge represents a significant development in Louisiana's railway infrastructure, connecting communities and supporting regional economic growth through freight transportation.

The structure is undergoing modernization to replace wooden parts with concrete elements for future passenger train service. These upgrades prepare the railway for regular operations connecting Louisiana cities.

The bridge was specifically engineered to function alongside the spillway when it operates during flood events. This design solution allowed a permanent railway to be built across a landscape that must handle dynamic water movement.

Official opening: 1936

GPS coordinates: 30.01400,-90.43640

Latest update: December 14, 2025 16:40