Friend,

I wish you would have kept abreast to the road changes as we discussed here two weeks ago. We recently returned from our cousins' home in Florida and came across the same traffic. The problem originates with a small 100 foot section of the I-10 bridge over the Pearl River being narrowed to one lane. Traffic regularly backs up four to five miles from this point.

Uncle used his trusty road atlas and a ruler to estimate the best alternative route to return to New Orleans from the east and we followed it. This route added 20 minutes to our normal trip's time. If you use Google Maps, it will not suggest this route, but at least tonight, it likely saved us time. Best of all, it means you do not have to cross that terrifying I-10 bridge over the Pearl River. The I-59 bridge over the Pearl has no elevation whatsoever, and you would hardly know that the bridge is a bridge if it did not have a sign reading "Pearl River."

If NASA is no longer using barges to bring equipment and craft up the Pearl, the DOT should consider building a new, less horrifying and elevated bridge. The current bridge is a terrible and dangerous and scary bridge. There is no reason it should be so bad. It is long past time to have a new I-10 bridge over the Pearl that is three lanes with a shoulder in both directions. Such a bridge would save lives and save me from having to take benadryl every time we go that way.

Here are the directions and photos of what to look for:

I-10 West:

1. Take Exit 13 to Picayune. At the exit, turn right, which is in the northern direction toward Picayune.

2. Follow this highway, Highway 603 or 43, north for approximately a mile. You will come to this light at the corner of Texas Flat Rd. You will take a left here. Shortly afterward, you will see an airport to your left, which at night, has the most beautiful lights. Consider pulling over and contemplating light's beauty.

3. Continue on Texas Flat Rd (does anyone know this road’s etymology?) a mostly straight road that has no dividers and has other cars traveling in the opposite direction at 55-70 MPH. It does not seem the safest. The good news is that Magic 101.9 comes in clearly even on this rural road. We heard and I sang Bryan Adams' touching I Do It for You. This was the same song that played while I danced with my first crush at my first JCC sockhop.

4. After following Texas Flat for about 10-12 miles, you will come across a fork that directs you either north or south on Highway 607. Go north by taking a right. This is a picture of the sign you will see.

5. Follow Highway 607 north for about three miles. You will come to I-59. At night, it comes quickly and is poorly lit. It may look a little like this:

6. The first exit for I-59 goes north. Do not take this exit. Take the second exit, which is poorly marked and there are no lights here. Uncle actually missed the left turn to enter I-59 headed south.. Thankfully, less than a block after the poorly lit and marked entrance to the interstate, there is a well lit Shell station. You can pull in here, turn around, and drive back a block. You would then merge onto I-59 by turning right. It is about 10 miles before we returned to familiar territory and merged with I-10 just north of Slidell.

Notice in the bottom left of the picture that the Shell advertises for two two liter drinks for $3, which is 2.23 cents per ounce. (In comparison the two 20ox for $4 is 10 cents per ounce). Although carbonated sweet drinks are a health hazard and part of the obesity epidemic, if they honor this price, you will be hard pressed to find a bette price. For instance, Walmart, who usually does well on two liter pricing is $1.68 per two liter.

May your drives be swift and safe, and may we all show courtesy on the roads, for all drivers, as annoying, angry, and bad as they might be, are our neighbors and we are commanded to love them.

Yours,
TulaneLSU

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Posted by OysterPoBoy