The Longest Bridge In The Country Is Here In Louisiana And It’s An Unforgettable Adventure

Clocking in at 23.87 miles, the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway is the longest bridge in the country. Not only that, but it’s the longest bridge over water in the entire world. While it’s commonly thought that the bridge is the longest bridge in the world, the Danyang-Kunshan Grand Bridge in China is actually the longest bridge in the world (104 miles), but it crosses over both land and water–the Causeway only crosses over water. Seeing that we have this national treasure right in our backyard, let’s take a peek at some of the highlights and history of this impressive feat of engineering.

Causeway Police/GNOEC

Infrogmation/Wikimedia

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Prior to the second span, the two-lane bridge had one lane in each direction and was a rather nerve-wracking experience for drivers making the 24-mile journey in either direction.

In case you're curious, the southbound bridge is the older bridge, and the northbound bridge was the second bridge to be completed.

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There are seven crossovers that connect the bridges, which are to be used for emergencies only. One of the newest improvements to the Causeway was the construction of the safety bays along the bridge. Each bridge has six safety bays, which are like shoulders you can pull over on in an emergency.

Jan Kronsell/Wikimedia

There are many humps along the bridge, too, for boats and sailboats to easily navigate their way under the bridge without using the drawbridge.

Wade/Google

Since this is the morning commute of thousands of Louisianians, there are toll tags available that will make this journey more financially reasonable, especially if you'll be traveling down it several times a week.

Visit the Causeway’s website for daily updates including traffic, construction, and weather as well as information about tolls and passes. The Causeway isn’t Louisiana’s only impressive bridge, the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge is another notable bridge in the Pelican State that’s worthy of a road trip, and it’ll take you through the largest river-swamp in the nation.