Considered to be the longest cable-stayed span in North America, the John James Audubon Bridge now connects U.S. 61 to Louisiana Highway 1 as well as the communities of New Roads and St. Francisville, La., on the Mississippi River. Featuring a 1,583-ft-long main span, the 3,186-ft-long bridge is also the only Mississippi River crossing along the 90-mile stretch from Natchez, Miss., to Baton Rouge, La.
Built by the Audubon Bridge Constructors joint venture, the $409-million bridge is Louisiana's first design-build project. It is one of 55 transportation projects under the $5.2-billion Transportation Infrastructure Model for Economic Development (TIMED) program, established in 1989 by the state Legislature.