John James Audubon Bridge, Cable-stayed bridge in southern Louisiana, United States
The John James Audubon Bridge is a cable-stayed crossing spanning the Mississippi River in southern Louisiana. Two towers support the structure, which links communities situated between Natchez and Baton Rouge across the wide waterway.
The bridge opened in 2011, replacing ferry crossings that had served communities for many generations between New Roads and St. Francisville. This marked the end of a long tradition of river passage by boat.
The bridge is named after naturalist John James Audubon, reflecting the region's connection to wildlife observation and natural history. This naming choice links the crossing to the area's role in documenting North American birds.
The crossing carries standard car traffic in both directions without special requirements or closures on normal days. Travel times are generally quick, and the route functions as a primary connector for vehicles moving between the regions.
The structure includes large sliding finger joints that absorb movement from temperature changes and water conditions without affecting traffic flow. These mechanical systems represent some of the largest components of their kind ever created for bridge construction.
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