Claiborne Avenue Bridge, Vertical-lift bridge in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Claiborne Avenue Bridge is a vertical-lift bridge that crosses the Industrial Canal with a main span stretching 360 feet and a roadway 54 feet wide. The structure was specifically designed to allow ship traffic to pass underneath, with the deck rising upward when vessels need to transit.
The structure was completed in 1957 by Boh Brothers Construction Company as an important postwar infrastructure project. After Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005, the bridge underwent extensive repairs to restore its functionality.
The bridge joins two neighborhoods that were long separated by the waterway and share deep community roots. Today it serves as an everyday passage for people moving between these distinct districts.
The crossing carries four lanes of traffic and is a main route between New Orleans and St Bernard Parish communities. Be aware that the roadway lifts to allow ships through, so expect possible delays during vessel passage.
The structure bears the official name Judge William Seeber Bridge, reflecting its importance to local governance. A tragic incident in 2008 involving a vehicle leaving the raised bridge revealed safety concerns that led to subsequent improvements.
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