Southeast Louisiana Minor State Highways

Secondary and 3000-series routes in Jefferson Parish

LA 301

Length: 3.00 miles
Western terminus: North bank of Intracoastal Waterway canal
Eastern terminus: JCT LA 45
Community: Crown Point
Parishes: Jef
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: None
Street names: Barataria Blvd.

The eastern portion of this was part of LA 45 before the LA 3134 bridge over the Intracoastal was built (the old LA 45 bridge has been removed). LA 301 also used to incorporate the present LA 3257, as they were one route before the construction of the canal. Even after the Intracoastal was completed, present 3257 remained as LA 301, separate from the north (existing) half, making it an entirely severed route for a time (until very recently, also, judging by the replacement number)!! This is not unique by far; see LA 611-3 and LA 611-4 for similar examples of the DOTD’s beedlecockery.

LA 302

Length: 0.27 mile
Western terminus: JCT LA 3257
Eastern terminus: JCT LA 45
Communities: Lafitte, Barataria
Parishes: Jef
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: None
Street names: Kerner Bridge over Bayou Barataria

This route is essentially a bridge over Bayou Barataria, but is vital as it serves as the only roadway connection/link from the rest of the road system to the Barataria community. The Kerner Bridge, an ancient drawspan, is due for a high-level replacement soon, as the existing structure is over 50 years old.

LA 303

Length: 1.27 miles
Western terminus: JCT LA 45 & LA 3134
Eastern terminus: Dead end at peach orchard (according to official route log)
Community: Jean Lafitte
Parishes: Jef
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: None
Street names: Jean Lafitte Parkway

A useless dead end SR paralleling the Intracoastal Canal in the village of Jean Lafitte – nothing spectacular.

LA 428

Length: 8.96 miles
Section 1:
Southern terminus: JCT LA 23/Belle Chasse Hwy., Terrytown
Northern terminus: Six-point intersection of Lamarque, Vallette, Verret, Hermosa, and “Nunez Diagonal” (for lack of an actual name), Algiers section of New Orleans
Section 2:
Western terminus: Intersection of Behrman Ave. and Newton Street, New Orleans (Algiers)
Eastern terminus: JCT LA 407/Woodland Drive, New Orleans (Algiers)
Break in control between sections in Algiers – implied connection via Vallette/Nunez Streets and Newton Street
Parishes: Jef, Or
Communities: Terrytown, Gretna, New Orleans
Multilane sections: Entire route
Multiplexes: None
Street names: Behrman Highway, Behrman Place, General DeGaulle Drive, Burmaster Street, Franklin Avenue, Nunez Street, “Nunez Diagonal,” ROUTE BREAK, Newton Street, General Meyer Avenue

This route is a hodgepodge of streets, avenues, and boulevards through run-down urban and suburban areas on the Westbank. Its route is so convoluted and poorly signed, I am frankly curious as to what the purpose and intent of this route is, or at least what DOTD thinks it is. Actually it is more likely that 428 is a bunch of leftovers, a mishmash of separate state highway alignments, once important routes but now less so, that date to a much earlier period. The Behrman Highway/Place section comprises part of the 1920s-era Berhman Highway which was the primary New Orleans-Belle Chasse route for many years. De Gaulle/Burmaster dates to the expansion/improvement of that thoroughfare (then called Victory Drive) with the completion of the GNO Bridge in the 1950s. Gen. Meyer was part of the old LA 996 in the pre-1955 numbering scheme.

And then there’s that funny gap in the Algiers Point area. Driving north on LA 428/Nunez Street, a divided boulevard, you reach a point where the divided road bends at a forty-five degree angle or so to the right. This section, which I call the “Nunez Diagonal” continues for a block further, then ends at a six-point intersection otherwise comprised entirely of side streets, where you will encounter an old, faded “END LA 428” sign in the median and the end of the divided roadway, square in the middle of the inner-city ghetto, at a junction with no other SR, with no directions on where on might go from there to get to Newton Street, the Algiers Naval Air Station, or historic Algiers Point (one of to which you are presumably headed), much less the other section of 428. (Hey, at least give DOTD credit for actually posting an “END” sign, as they generally fail to do so in other such cases, or anywhere else for that matter.) The signage for the western end of “section 2” is similarly under-informative, as it is (more characteristically, for DOTD) nonexistent, so the end there is unsigned (as if one knows that you are on a SR in the first place; there are few if any reassurance shields on Gen. Meyer). The eastern end at LA 407/Woodland is a little better, as there is a LA 428 shield facing Woodland with an arrow below it pointing west along Gen. Meyer.

Since nobody knows or cares that this is a state route (typical for New Orleanians, despite LA 428 being mentioned on BGSs on the Westbank Expressway for the DeGaulle exit), and it goes around in circles so much that it fails to serve any practical purpose, I suggest decommissioning for this SR. (They shoot horses, don’t they?)

LA 466

Length: 0.85 mile
Western terminus: JCT LA 18/Lafayette Street
Eastern terminus: JCT LA 23/Franklin Avenue
Community: Gretna
Parishes: Jef
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: None
Street names: 5th Street, Kepler Street

Consists of city streets in the city of Gretna. This is the last surviving section of the once-venerable LA 466 family, which once counted 17 members that comprised portions of other Gretna city streets and wasted state highway mileage (the present LA 466 was once section 10, aka LA 466-10, and presumably survived since it actually terminated at a state highway on both ends).

LA 541

Length: 9.75 miles
Western terminus: JCT LA 18, Avondale
Eastern terminus: JCT LA 18/4th Street, Harvey
Communities: Avondale, Bridge City, Westwego, Marrero, Harvey
Parishes: Jef
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: LA 18, Westwego
Street names: River Road, Labauve Drive, Destrehan Avenue

Follows the right (or “west”) riverbank of the Mississippi River for almost all of its length.

LA 560 family

Again, why are these routes in the state system???

LA 560-1 (Harvey):
Length: 0.20 mile
Southern terminus: Dead end just north of RR tracks parallel to LA 18/4th Street
Northern terminus: LA 541/Labauve Drive
Parishes: Jef
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: None
Street names: Distillery Lane

A short local dead-end (!) street that passes through some lovely industrial areas along the Mississippi River.

LA 560-2 (Marrero):
Length: 0.17 mile
Southern terminus: LA 18/4th Street/Barataria Blvd.
Northern terminus: LA 541/Labauve Drive
Parishes: Jef
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: None
Street names: Barataria Blvd.

The northernmost piece of Barataria Boulevard, which doesn’t look much like a boulevard once it becomes LA 560-2.

LA 560-3 (Marrero):
Length: 0.71 mile
Southern terminus: LA 45/Barataria Blvd.
Northern terminus: LA 18/4th Street
Parishes: Jef
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: None
Street names: Avenue E, 7th Street

I have determined that this route is the most useless road in the entire state highway system. LA 560-3 is shaped like a reverse ‘L’, and ‘cuts the corner’ between LA 45 and LA 18 to the southeast of their intersection in Marrero. It is entirely comprised of residential side streets (!), done nicely to DOTD specifications including a painted double yellow centerline, and is actually signed! (and very well, too – you can actually follow the road by the signage; amazing too, considering absolutely no one knows about its existence). The mind boggles.

LA 560-4 (Crown Point):
Length: 0.89 mile
Southern terminus: North bank of Bayou Barataria
Northern terminus: LA 45
Parishes: Jef
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: None
Street names: ????

I have yet to get a fix on the precise streets this route follows, though I know that it parallels the bayou for a time before turning north to meet LA 45 at its right-angle bend in Crown Point. Last time I field-checked, I saw no signage for 560-4 anywhere on LA 45 or anywhere else, so I consider this route to be unsigned.

LA 574 family (Grand Isle)

The surviving 574 family members are sections 1 and 3 through 9. With the exception of 574-1, these are all (I believe unpaved) lanes jutting north from LA 1 on the island portion of Grand Isle. None of these routes are longer than half a mile in length, and all are essentially local side streets providing access to camps. The section numbers increase sequencally from west to east. 574-1 is located on the mainland portion of Grand Isle (Cheniere Caminada) and is the same kind of road as its brethren, but extends on either side of LA 1 on the northern shore of Caminada Pass. If I recall none of these routes are actually signed, with the possible exception of 574-1 (I seem to recall some sort of sign…..).

LA 574-2 was a spur at the western end of the island and has been decommissioned.
LA 3150 was once LA 574-10, and LA 3151 was once LA 574-11. I don’t recall any signage for 3150, but 3151 was clearly marked and can be found on most gazetteers.
IMO, they are all ridiculous wastes of state routes and should all be eliminated.

LA 611 family

More useless state routes, courtesy of DOTD.

LA 611-1 (Jefferson):
Length: 2.48 miles
Western terminus: Junction with Jefferson Heights Ave.
Eastern terminus: JCT LA 611-8 @ Orleans-Jefferson parish line
Parishes: Jef
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: None
Street names: River Road

Neither terminus is marked at all (state control ‘just ends’ at the western terminus); actually the only place to find signage for this route is on the approach and junction signage on/for the other useless SRs hanging about.

LA 611-2 (Jefferson):
Length: 0.52 mile
Southern terminus: JCT LA 611-1
Northern terminus: JCT US 90/LA 48
Parishes: Jef
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: None
Street names: Central Avenue

The bottom part of Central Avenue (the rest is part of LA 48).

LA 611-3 (Jefferson):
Length: Less than 1 mile (not sure of exact number)
Southern terminus: JCT LA 611-1
Northern terminus: Dead end at railroad embankment
Parishes: Jef
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: None
Street names: Shrewsbury Avenue

Before 2002, this road also comprised the present LA 3261, which means that for about 20 years it was severed in two due to the construction of the Earhart Expressway in the early 1980s, thus existing in two separate pieces! (Only in Louisiana.)

LA 611-4 (Jefferson):
Length: Less than 1 mile (not sure of exact number)
Southern terminus: JCT LA 611-1
Northern terminus: Dead end at railroad embankment
Parishes: Jef
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: None
Street names: Labarre Road

Before 2002, this road also comprised the present LA 3262, which means that for about 20 years it was severed in two due to the construction of the Earhart Expressway in the early 1980s, thus existing in two separate pieces! (Note that this description reads nearly exactly like that of its immediate cousin to the west LA 611-3.)

All 611 routes in Jefferson are vestiges of a dense SR network of once-rural roads in the area. LA 611-3 and 4 were semi-important once, but have lost all value as state highways since they don’t actually go anywhere anymore.

LA 611-5 (Jefferson):
Length: 0.55 mile
Southern terminus: JCT LA 611-1
Northern terminus: JCT US 90
Parishes: Jef
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: None
Street names: Brooklyn Avenue

Another residential side street. 

LA 611-6 (Jefferson):
Length: 0.05 mile
Western terminus: JCT US 90
Eastern terminus: JCT LA 611-5
Parishes: Jef
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: None
Street names: Cicero Street

This tiny route is less than a block long, and can be found jutting off the southern part of the S-curve that Jefferson Highway makes just west of the parish line.

Did I mention how pointless this route is?

Decommissioned LA 611-7 (Jefferson):
This route comprised Dakin Street between US 90 and LA 611-1 in Jefferson, a block west of still-extant LA 611-8.

LA 611-8 (Jefferson):
Length: 0.82 mile
Southern terminus: JCT LA 611-1
Northern terminus: JCT US 90
Parishes: Jef (barely)
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: None
Street names: Monticello Avenue

Parallels the protection levee and the parish line for its entire length, and is fairly well signed at both ends.

LA 611-9:
Length: 3.53 miles
Western terminus: JCT US 61, Metairie
Eastern terminus: JCT I-10 @ exit 231A, New Orleans
Parishes: Jef, Or
Multilane sections: Intermittent center turn lane in Metairie; divided from Orleans-Jefferson parish line to east end
Multiplexes: None
Street names: Metairie Road

Finally, a 611 route that is actually an important road!
(I still think it should be decommissioned)

Metairie Road is the historic western exit from New Orleans; the community of Metairie grew up around it. Its winding route mimics the once-parallel Bayou Metairie (which has been filled in), an ancient course of the Mississippi River. High ground follows the old bayou bed, producing a strip of drained developable land called Metairie Ridge, which was most favorable to plantation agriculture and later residential development. The area along and around Metairie Road, called ‘Old’ Metairie, is the most livable part of that sprawling community and is a prime upper-income residential area, mixed with small-scale businesses along the road. It is the most ‘urban-like’ portion of eastbank Jefferson Parish, and is similar to Uptown New Orleans in appearance and income levels.

Decommissioned LA 611-10 (Metairie):
This is now (approximately) LA 3152.

Decommissioned LA 611-11 (Metairie):
This became LA 3153, the portion of Transcontinental Blvd. from US 61 to West Metairie Ave., which has itself been decommissioned and removed from the state system.

Decommissioned LA 611-12 (Harahan/Metairie):
This essentially became LA 3154. As LA 611-12, state maintenance followed a continuous route along Hickory Ave. from Jefferson to Airline Highways (the railroad crossing south of Airline was removed with the opening of Dickory Ave. to the east, so Hickory is no longer continuous).

Decommissioned LA 611-13 (River Ridge):
Part of this became LA 3155; the remainder of the route, extending south to LA 48 along Little Farms Ave. through River Ridge, has been removed from state control.

LA 613-1

Length: 0.36 miles
Western terminus: Junction with Chickasaw Street, Bucktown neighborhood of Metairie
Eastern terminus: Orleans Parish line at east end of bridge over “17th Street” drainage canal
Parishes: Jef
Multilane sections: Presently being expanded to four lanes from Carrollton Street to east end
Multiplexes: None
Street names: Metairie Hammond Highway

This route is totally unsigned and connects to no other SR. It is somewhat important, as it is an approach to one of the few bridges over the parish line outfall canal, and as such is being expanded to four lanes presently to meet the four-lane New Orleans Hammond Highway on the Orleans Parish side. On the Jefferson side, most traffic connects to 613-1 from West Esplanade Ave., a major thoroughfare, via Lake Street, an erstwhile side street promoted to major connector due to Jefferson Parish’s total lack of transportation planning.

There is a lot of history in this piddling little road, which explains a great deal as to why it got a state highway number in the first place. The Metairie/New Orleans Hammond Highway is all that remains of an old state Department of Highways scheme to construct a lakeshore highway that would have extended from the West End area of New Orleans to old US 51 at Frenier (north of Laplace). This road is often shown as completed along the Metairie/Kenner lakefront on many old (1930s-1940s) maps, and was intended to become part of US 51 on completion (US 51 followed US 61 into New Orleans in reality). I have a 1930s map of metro New Orleans that shows the road marked as part of US 51, but I highly doubt that 51 ever followed this route (since it could have never been completed through St. Charles Parish; the whole lakefront in this parish is a swampland, even I-10 had to be built on piles). More proof that this route was intended as a new routing for US 51 is that it was also designated as part of the old LA 33 (the carrier number for US 51 throughout its length in La.).

For a time, LA 613-1 also included the length of Lakeshore Drive in New Orleans.

LA 3017

Length: 9.07 miles
Northern terminus: JCT LA 18, Harvey
Eastern terminus: JCT LA 23, Belle Chasse
Parishes: Jef, Pl
Multilane sections: None known
Multiplexes: None
Street names: Peters Road in Jefferson Parish; Engineers Road in Plaquemine Parish

LA 3017 parallels canals associated with the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway for most of its length, and serves industries along those canals. A two-lane roadway, it could probably stand to be widened due to narrowness and increasing freight traffic. Judging by the number, this is an early post-1955 addition.

LA 3018

Length: 1.62 miles
Southern terminus: Officially at junction with 16th Street, but many maps show as extending south to Lapalco Blvd.
Northern terminus: LA 18
Parishes: Jef
Community: Harvey/Marrero
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: None
Street names: Destrehan Avenue

Parallel cousin to LA 3017, LA 3018 serves the opposite side of the Harvey Canal from its longer relative (hey Beavis, he said long).

LA 3046

Length: 0.92 mile
Southern terminus: US 90
Northern terminus: US 61 at “Four Level Rotary” interchange
Parishes: Jef
Communities: Jefferson, Metairie
Multilane sections: Entire length
Multiplexes: None
Street names: Causeway Boulevard

The southern part of Causeway Blvd. Expressway quality throughout, but of an inferior 1950s design that both irritates and delights this roadgeek. Noticeable features of this route include a long elevated viaduct that comprises most of the route, and a “British-style” four-level rotary interchange at Airline Highway/US 61 (Airline Highway underpass, railroad line at grade, traffic circle above grade, Causeway twice above grade). This interchange was considered state of the art by the “folks” around here when completed in 1959, and is certainly unique for La., but age is taking its toll. The DOTD has been doing its best to modernize the infrastructure with its limited available funding. Recently acceleration/deceleration lanes were added to the ramps on the north side of the interchange (where there had been none previously). The flyover at Jefferson Highway, dating to the same period, once accommodated two directions of traffic, similar to a trumpet interchange (with only paint separating the opposing traffic streams); this was converted to one-way northbound a few years back, with southbound traffic wanting to turn left onto Jefferson Highway now having to negotiate a traffic light. This old flyover has been removed and is now in the process of being replaced.

Spur LA 3046

Length: 0.28 mile
Western terminus: LA 3046 (actually below it, at surface street, since 3046 is viaduct at that point, so there is no direct connection to its parent!)
Eastern terminus: LA 3262
Parishes: Jef
Community: Metairie
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: None
Street names: Lausat Street

My question: What’s the point of a state highway having a spur connection when it
a) doesn’t directly connect to the parent route, and
b) is a functionally local road, little more than a side street, and
c) is impossible to find, and unmarked at that?

Lausat Street (aka LA 3046 Spur, though that’s a secret as this designation is not posted) is state maintained from Labarre Road/LA 3262 westward to the point where it passes under the elevated viaduct that is its parent route. The whole area is industrial and with all the short side streets and warehouses and other clutter hanging about, this one looks and feels no different from the rest, save the DOTD spec-quality roadway.

If I didn’t have a good set of maps available to me, I probably would have never found this road.

LA 3134

Length: officially 15.00 miles, but actually shorter, and projected as longer
Southern terminus: Officially at Jefferson-Lafourche parish line in the marshes somewhere southwest of Lafitte; DOTD projected alignment via line maps puts proposed south end at LA 308 in Cut Off; actual end is where road and signage ends @ JCT LA 45/LA 303 in Jean Lafitte
Northern terminus: LA 45, Estelle
Parishes: Jef, (Lafo)
Multilane sections: Entire length except for Intracoastal Waterway bridge
Multiplexes: With LA 45 (signed as “To LA 45”) across Intracoastal bridge
Street names: Lafitte-Larose Highway

LA 3139

Length: 1.62 miles
“Southern” (actually eastern) terminus: Junction with Monroe Street, New Orleans
“Northern” (actually western) terminus: LA 3154, Harahan
Parishes: Jef, Or
Multilane sections: Entire route
Multiplexes: None
Freeway portions: From “north” terminus to end of freeway at traffic light at Hamilton Street in New Orleans
Street names: Earhart Blvd., Earhart Expressway

This is mostly comprised of the Earhart Expressway, a rare non-interstate freeway facility in La. For some reason it is signed as north-south even though the road is clearly east-west; I surmise this is because parallel Airline Highway/US 61 is also signed as north-south (US 61, per its number, is primarily a N-S route). The freeway is six lanes throughout but sees very little traffic, as it connects to no other freeway and otherwise is difficult to access in general. All the exits, save the Clearview interchange, are eastbound on-westbound off, there is no connection to Causeway, and the east end of the freeway dumps traffic onto Earhart Blvd., a crappy surface arterial infamous for its pathetic surface, numerous potholes, and other ‘speed bumps’ (thank you, New Orleans), plus providing a very poor connection to the interstate (the best route is via S. Carrollton Ave.; watch out for the jughandle left turn and the usual passel of panhandlers at the Carrollton-Earhart intersection).

The freeway was constructed in the late 1970s-early 1980s and is very modern, with a Jersey barrier median and excellent merging distance, but falls short of Interstate standards as it lacks paved pull-off shoulders and overhead lighting (presumably due to limited ROW – it had to be shoehorned along a rail corridor while avoiding subdivisions and industrial areas). This is the only freeway I know of in the NO area which has curbs, gutters, and an obscenely under-posted 50 MPH speed limit! The exits are not numbered, but signage is interstate quality after a sign replacement project a few years back dispensed with the former unreadable ground level signage. It is not a very inspiring drive, but is almost always devoid of traffic except at the ends during rush hour (both ends of the freeway are at traffic signals). Sometimes you actually go for a minute or two without seeing a passing car in the opposing carriageway. I personally prefer the freeway over parallel Airline Highway with its 30+ traffic signals and numerous at-grade crossings in the same stretch.

It would be so much better if there were a direct connection to Airline Highway somewhere on the freeway’s eastern end. Stub ramps exist near the parish line that were meant for ramps to Airline and Jefferson Highways. There are also stubs for a potential/planned western extension at the west end of the freeway (presently all traffic is forced off at the Dickory Ave. ‘exit ramps’).

The western few blocks of Earhart Blvd. are also part of the state highway – you can tell because the surface is smooth concrete you can actually drive on; the point where it becomes crumbing asphalt is where city maintenance begins (you can always tell). Don’t look for any BEGIN or END signs, though; the first WB/NB ‘trailblazer’ is partially hidden behind a tall bush just past the intersection with Fig Street, and consists of a “NORTH” banner missing a corresponding “LA 3139” shield (the shield used to be there, but has disappeared and was never replaced; this is from the days [late 80s/early 90s] when the assembly was plainly visible to traffic).

LA 3150

Length: 0.29 mile
Southern terminus: JCT LA 1, Grand Isle
Northern terminus: Dead end
Parishes: Jef
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: None
Street names:????

Was once LA 574-10, and is similar to its former brethren, as a dead end side street off of LA 1 on Grand Isle. Also similar in its utter pointlessness.

Even the official route log is unclear on this one. If the route log can’t even get the termini straight, I say get rid of it.

LA 3151

Length: 1.14 miles
Western terminus: LA 1, Grand Isle near community center
Northern terminus: LA 1, Grand Isle at east end of island
Parishes: Jef
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: None
Street names: ???

Another useless SR that makes a loop off LA 1 on the eastern side of Grand Isle, passing near some oil-related facilities and the community center. Signed, but only minimally. Was once LA 574-11.

LA 3152

Length: 1.62 miles
Southern terminus: 1.11 miles south of JCT US 61, or around intersection with Citrus Blvd.
Northern terminus: One-half mile north of JCT US 61, or just south of intersection with West Metairie Ave.
Parishes: Jef
Communities: Metairie, Elmwood
Multilane sections: Entire route
Multiplexes: None
Street names: South Clearview Pkwy. south of Airline, Clearview Pkwy. north of there

Though many maps show all of Clearview from Jefferson Highway to I-10 as LA 3152, only the above described piece is actually state maintained. This portion includes the section of Clearview that passes through the Earhart Expressway interchange.

IMO state maintenance of Clearview should extend from the Huey Long Bridge to I-10, per a recommendation of the Envision Jefferson 2020 master plan.

LA 3153
See decommissioned LA 611-11.

LA 3154

Length: 3.13 miles
Southern terminus: LA 48, Harahan
Northern terminus: US 61, Metairie
Parishes: Jef
Multilane sections: From 9th Street in Harahan to north terminus
Multiplexes: None
Street names: Hickory Ave., (9th Street and Gardner Street as temporary connectors), Dickory Ave., Hickory Ave.

LA 3154 was born in the early 80’s as a rough replacement/new alignment upgrade for the old LA 611-12/Hickory Ave., with the completion of the first part of Dickory Ave. (from just south of Airline to just north of Citrus Road). This portion of Dickory connects to the Earhart Expressway.

In the early 90’s, the state began extending Dickory south along the high voltage power line right-of-way that exists a few hundred feet east of Hickory. The ultimate goal is to reach Jefferson Highway/LA 48 and provide better access to Elmwood Business Park, a major employment center and traffic generator just east of Harahan. The first portion of the extension opened in the mid 1990’s, extending to the short Gardner Drive connector to Hickory (completed at the same time). The second portion south to 9th, with a connection to Mounes Blvd. and the heart of the Elmwood Business Park, opened in 2004, though through traffic to Jefferson Highway is still encouraged to use the Gardner connection (Hickory stops for Gardner traffic). An interesting design feature is that the City of Harahan’s small wastewater treatment plant sits in the median at Mounes. The third part, south to Jefferson Highway, is under construction now.

In the area of Citrus Road/Blvd., the direct connection to Hickory north of Citrus was eliminated and replaced with another short connector, Dufrene Street (one-way to Hickory only). Citrus was made discontinuous, the right-of-way between Hickory and Dickory turned into a small park space (that nobody uses); connections between Citrus Road and Blvd. are conducted through Dufrene Street and Vicknair Street, another connector just to the south of the intersection. The idea is to prevent backups from dual traffic lights spilling over into the next intersection (the space between ‘New’ Dickory and Hickory is so short, small parking lots in between have curb cuts into both streets, which are frequently abused in the manner of ‘public’ passageways). Of course DOTD and Jefferson Parish could have been smart about it by eliminating the Hickory light altogether and leaving Citrus continuous; two-lane Hickory is lightly traveled since the bypass, and other secure (i.e. traffic light controlled) alternate connections between Hickory and Dickory already existed. But thanks to DOTD, making the ‘Citrus connection’ is now a pain where it didn’t have to be.

For those of you wondering where the hell the name “Dickory” comes from……..well, Hickory preexisted everything else, and is presumably named for the tree (there is a parallel Oak Street in Harahan). Then along came Dickory and a short companion side street, Dock, which connects Dickory to Hickory and Sauve Road. Therefore……..

Hickory, Dickory, Dock –
The mouse ran up the clock!

On Dickory at Earhart Expressway, in front of the Jefferson Parish Traffic Engineering building, there is a real funny sign (‘official’ no less!) with this limerick on it and a graphic of a mouse running up a grandfather clock. Pathetic, isn’t it?

LA 3155

Length: 0.32 mile
Southern terminus: JCT with CN railroad line at Ivy Street
Northern terminus: US 61
Community: Bunche Village subdivision, Metairie
Parishes: Jef
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: None
Street names: Little Farms Ave.

The former LA 611-13, state maintenance on this route once comprised all of Little Farms Avenue from Airline to Jefferson Highways. The present state portion of this street is now restricted to north of the Canadian National (formerly Illinois Central) railroad tracks.

I am intimately familiar with this route since I used to live only a few blocks from it and traveled on it daily for many years. One thing I can observe is that this route is marked horribly (surprise, surprise). There is approach signage (recently replaced) on Airline Highway, but nothing on 3155 itself. There used to be an “END” sign just before the railroad crossing when I was a child (mid to late 80’s) but it has long since disappeared. A complete resurfacing was completed in 1999, in tandem with the larger Airline Highway resurfacing from the St. Charles line to Labarre Road.

From my own experience I can see no reason why 3155 should continue as a state route, as the state portion of Little Farms essentially functions merely as a tiny spur from US 61 into a run-down industrial/residential area, and mainly serves local interest traffic anyway.
LA 3261

Length: Less than 1 mile (not exactly known)
Southern terminus: Intersection with Lausat Street
Northern terminus: JCT US 61 & LA 611-1
Community: Metairie
Parishes: Jef
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: None
Street names: Shrewsbury Ave.

New for 2002, this route was formerly part of LA 611-3, even after the construction of the Earhart Expressway in the 80s sliced the route in two.

LA 3262

Length: Less than 1 mile (not exactly known)
Southern terminus: Dead end at Earhart Expressway
Northern terminus: JCT LA 611-1
Community: Metairie
Parishes: Jef
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: None
Street names: Labarre Road

New for 2002, this route was formerly part of LA 611-4, even after the construction of the Earhart Expressway in the 80s sliced the route in two.
LA 3257

Length: 5.77 miles
Southern terminus: North bank of Bayou Rigolets
Northern terminus: South bank of Intracoastal Waterway canal
Community: Barataria
Parishes: Jef
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: None
Street names: ?????

The main road through the Barataria community, paralleling LA 45, but on the west side of Bayou Barataria. A recent renumbering, this was once part of LA 301.

Secondary and 3000-series routes in Orleans Parish

LA 406

Length: 6.02 miles
Southern terminus: LA 23/Belle Chasse Highway
Eastern terminus: End of state maintenance near Stanton Road
Parishes: Pl, Or
Communities: Belle Chasse, Lower Coast Algiers (New Orleans)
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: None
Street names: Woodland Highway (to LA 407), River Road

This road serves semi-rural but developing parts of Plaquemines Parish and the “Lower Coast” of Algiers, mostly an unpopulated, undeveloped part of the city of New Orleans, home to a wildlife preserve and English Turn subdivision, the city’s wealthiest and most exclusive. The eastern end of LA 406, along the river road, ends at a seemingly arbitrary point in the middle of nowhere and is not marked (though the change in pavement quality is noticeable).

LA 407

Length: 2.07 miles
Southern terminus: LA 406/Woodland Highway
Northern terminus: LA 428/Gen. Meyer Avenue
Multilane sections: Entire route
Multiplexes: None
Street names: DeGaulle Blvd., Woodland Drive

A short, almost randomly placed route whose only point of interest is the high-level Intracoastal Canal bridge. The north terminus is also the easternmost terminus (of four in all) of the confounding LA 428.

Algiers is not a good place for state highways.

LA 1253

Length: 0.54 mile
Western terminus: Downman Road
Eastern terminus: I-10 @ Exit 241
Multilane sections: Entire route
Multiplexes: None
Street names: Morrison Road

This unsigned SR consists mainly of ramps to Morrison Road, and a small part of Morrison itself, to Downman Road. Even though it is the “Morrison Road” exit from I-10, it better serves to access Downman Road and the Lakefront Airport (Morrison actually runs parallel to I-10).

The number implies a newer SR, but this route has been in the system since the 1950s and the initial construction of the “Eastern Expressway,” which is now I-10 between Morrison and I-510 (nobody calls it “Eastern Expressway”). Before it was upgraded to freeway and made part of I-10, it was a two-lane surface road and was numbered as LA 3021. The LA 3021 numbering persisted on the non-Interstate section, hidden and unsigned, until very recently.

For those students of Louisiana highways who now ask, “Wait! I thought 3021 was the SR number of Elysian Fields Avenue,” I can only reply that this was apparently a split route at one time (and don’t believe anything the Universal Map of New Orleans shows in terms of connections between the two pieces). I have seem old DOTD line maps which show a proposed connection running north from Elysian Fields, then east, to tie into the other section at Morrison. There were also other proposals to create a northern bypass connecting US 11 in eastern N.O. with Veterans Highway, of which the Eastern Expressway was a part, running through Gentilly and Lakeview in a manner similar to what I-610 does now. In fact, the road that is now the I-10 alignment was originally referred to as “Alternate US 11.” But that never came about, and the present LA 1253 remains, a vestige of forgotten highway plans.

LA 3019

Length: 0.52 mile
Western terminus: Jefferson/Orleans Parish line @ “17th Street” Canal bridge
Eastern terminus: I-10 @ exit 231B
Multilane sections: Entire route
Multiplexes: None
Street names: Veterans Blvd., Pontchartrain Blvd./West End Blvd.

LA 3021

Length: 1.83 miles
Southern terminus: LA 39 and 46 @ N. Claiborne Ave.
Northern terminus: US 90 @ Gentilly Blvd.
Multilane sections: Entire route
Multiplexes: None
Street names: Elysian Fields Ave.

A busy 6-lane arterial for its entire length, LA 3021 fills in a gap between US 90 and LA 39 in central city New Orleans. The portion just north of the I-10 interchange is expressway-like in quality.

This route had grander plans attached to it. At one time part of LA 3021 was slated to become the route for the cancelled and controversial I-310 Riverfront Expressway, which was to follow Elysian Fields from the river to I-10 (which explains why the interchange of I-10 with that thoroughfare is so much more mind-blowingly massive than it needs to be). The LA 3021 appellation was also given to the “Eastern Expressway” in eastern Orleans Parish (what is now LA 1253 and I-10 between Morrison and Paris Road/I-510). (See LA 1253 for details.)

Secondary and 3000-series routes in St. Bernard Parish

LA 300

Length: Officially 14.79 miles including Bayou Road section, but Bayou Road has been dropped from the state highway system
Southern terminus: End of pavement, Delacroix
Northern terminus: JCT LA 46, Reggio
Communities: Delacroix, Reggio
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: None
Street names: ????

LA 300 runs parallel to Bayou Delacroix for its entire length, and is thus very twisty and dangerous at high speeds, though it is a real treat if you like looking at desolate marshland expanses (it seems like the end of the world to me). Settlement lines the road near the north end at Reggio and the south end at Delacroix, fishing communities both.

There is a really cool bridge, a seemingly insignificant short concrete span about halfway along the route, dating from the 1930s and stamped with the insignia (visible from NB) “STATE HIGHWAY NO. 62.” A rare find in La. – physical evidence of the pre-1955 state highway number!

LA 624

Length: 5.96 miles
Western terminus: JCT LA 46, Yscloskey
Eastern terminus: End of pavement near MRGO canal, Hopedale
Communities: Yscloskey, Hopedale
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: None
Street names: ????

The road to and through the fishing settlement of Hopedale.

LA 625

Length: 0.25 mile
Western terminus: JCT LA 46 west of Yscloskey
Eastern terminus: Local road
Communities: Alluvial City
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: None
Street names: ????

This route is exceptional, as it wins the prize (over tough competition) for the most pointless state highway. This tiny SR spurs north from LA 46 just west of Yscloskey, immediately curves to the right, and instantly ends in a small subdivision of raised camps, sometimes shown on maps as “Alluvial City”. Signage exists on EB LA 46 and there is a single reassurance banner on NB LA 625.

It took all of five seconds to ‘clinch’ this route. What a waste.

LA 1245

Length: ?????
Southern terminus: Bayou Road
Northern terminus: JCT LA 46
Communities: Toca
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: None
Street names: ????

A new addition to the state highway system for 2003, LA 1245 was constructed to access the center section of the now-severed-in-three-pieces Bayou Road, which was formerly part of LA 46 and later LA 300.

LA 3238

Length: 0.54 mile
Southern terminus: LA 46/St. Bernard Highway
Northern terminus: LA 39/Judge Perez Drive
Communities: Chalmette
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: None
Street names: Palmisano Drive

Added to the state system in the early 80s, in exchange for the piece of Paris Road (LA 47) south of LA 46, which was given back to the parish.

The only thing that I can see about Palmisano that makes it important is that it runs along the side of Chalmette High School.

Secondary and 3000-series routes in Plaquemines Parish

LA 3137

Length: 3.69 miles
Southern terminus: LA 39, Scarsdale near Belle Chasse ferry landing
Northern terminus: LA 39, Braithwaite
Communities: English Turn, Braithwaite
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: None
Street names: English Turn Road

An old alignment of LA 39, this section was bypassed in the 1970s.

Secondary and 3000-series routes in St. Charles Parish

LA 306

Length: 8.58 miles
Southern terminus: Bank of Burchell Canal
Northern terminus: LA 631
Communities: Paradis
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: None
Street names:

LA 626

Length: 2.56 miles
Southern terminus: LA 48
Northern terminus: US 61/Airline Highway
Communities: Saint Rose
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: None
Street names: St. Rose Avenue

Most of this route passes through classic Louisiana swampland dense with cypress trees and Spanish moss, and as such is maybe three inches from inundation at any time. The heart of the St. Rose community (such as it is) is located on drier land next to the levee at the south terminus at LA 48. Also crosses under the I-310 viaduct.

LA 627

Length: 1.07 miles
Southern terminus: LA 48
Northern terminus: US 61/Airline Highway
Communities: Good Hope
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: None
Street names:

This short SR passes directly through the massive Motiva/Shell petroleum refinery complex, aka the Norco refinery. Has been recently realigned slightly near its south end.

LA 628

Length: 8.05 miles
Western terminus: LA 44, Laplace
Eastern terminus: US 61/Airline Highway
Communities: Laplace, Montz
Parishes: St JB, St C
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: None
Street names:

Follows the eastbank of the river from Laplace to the historic Montz community, before turning inland and following the west side of the Bonnet Carré Spillway.

LA 631

Length: 9.09 miles
Southern terminus: US 90, Des Allemands
Northern terminus: LA 52, Boutte
Communities: Des Allemands, Paradis, Boutte
Parishes: Lafo, St C
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: None
Street names: Old Spanish Trail

The pre-1950s alignment of US 90; parallels the present 90 from Des Allemands to Boutte (where 90 historically turned north on present LA 52). Retains the Old Spanish Trail moniker (and existence on the state payroll) and as such is a highly obvious local example of a bypassed US highway alignment. As a bypassed route, it is consequently unimportant in the scheme of things.

LA 631 Spur

Length: 0.6 mile
Southern terminus: US 90
Northern terminus: LA 631
Communities: Des Allemands
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: None
Street names:

LA 632

Length: 5.66 miles
Western terminus: LA 631
Eastern terminus: Dead end at Paradis Canal
Communities:
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: None
Street names:

LA 633

Length: 2.8 miles
Southern terminus: Dead end south of Boutte
Northern terminus: US 90
Communities: Boutte
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: None
Street names:

This SR spurs off US 90 at the Boutte community and travels a few miles before dead-ending at a point of no consequence in the marshes.

Please, DOTD, if you’re gonna create a spur, have it connect to something!

LA 635

Length: 0.25 mile
Western terminus: LA 631
Eastern terminus: US 90
Communities:
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: None
Street names:

This teeny tiny road is a short connector between US 90 and the parallel LA 631 south of Paradis. As to its purpose I am clueless.

LA 3060

Length: 1.15 miles
Southern terminus: US 90
Northern terminus: LA 18
Communities: Boutte, Ama
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: None
Street names:

A connector between US 90 and LA 18 near the Monsanto facility in Ama.

LA 3127

Length: 44.33 miles
Western terminus: JCT LA 70 E of Donaldsonville
Eastern terminus: JCT I-310, Boutte
Parishes: Asc, St J, St JB, St C
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: None
Street names: River Parishes Highway

Does for the Westbank of the River Parishes what Airline Highway does for the eastbank: provide a relatively straight route parallel to the river, but bypassing river communities and the tyranny (and danger) of the curving river road in the process. LA 3127 is the longest 3xxx route in Louisiana, extending over 40 miles along the west side of the river from Donaldsonville to Boutte.

LA 3141

Length: 1.027 miles
Southern terminus: LA 3127
Northern terminus: LA 18
Communities: Killona
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: None
Street names:

This road links the Killona community with LA 3127, the River Parishes Highway.

LA 3142

Length: 1.62 miles
Southern terminus: LA 3127
Northern terminus: LA 18
Communities: Taft
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: None
Street names:

This road links the Taft community with LA 3127, the River Parishes Highway.

Taft is best known as the home of the Waterford 3 nuclear (pronounced NEW-clear, not NOO-ku-lar!!) power plant.

LA 3160

Length: 2.32 miles
Southern terminus: LA 3127
Northern terminus: LA 18
Communities: Hahnville
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: None
Street names:

This road links Hahnville, the seat of St. Charles Parish, with LA 3127, the westbank’s answer to Airline Highway in the River Parishes.

Secondary and 3000-series routes in St. Tammany Parish

LA 433

Length: 14.86 miles
Southern terminus: US 90 near Rigolets
Northern terminus: US 190 west of Slidell
Communities: Slidell area
Multilane sections: From east JCT US 11 to just east of JCT I-10
Multiplexes: With US 11, Slidell
Street names: Old Spanish Trail east of US 11, Bayou Liberty Road west of US 11

Old Spanish Trail/Bayou Liberty Road, aka LA 433, is a major traffic artery in the Slidell area. The historic sounding name is actually more pertinent than one might believe; the road from the Rigolets to Slidell once served as an historic alignment of US 90, back in the 1920s before the “beeline” current route to Mississippi was constructed. (See US 90 History for details.)

LA 434

Length: 10.79 miles
Southern terminus: End of state maintenance at JCT local road south of Lacombe
Northern terminus: LA 36, St. Tammany
Communities: Lacombe, St. Tammany
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: None
Street names:

This route is the main access way to the Lacombe community from I-12. Lacombe is probably the last major community in St. Tammany to retain an overall ‘rural’ feel (due to its distance from the lake crossings), but that will likely change soon as growth pressures ensue.

LA 435

Length: 11.5 miles
Western terminus: LA 36, Abita Springs
Eastern terminus: LA 41, Talisheek
Parishes: St T
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: None
Street names:

LA 435 Spur

Length: 0.5 mile
Southern terminus: LA 435
Northern terminus: LA 41
Communities: Talisheek
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: None
Street names:

LA 437

Length: 20.68 miles
Southern terminus: US 190 Business, Covington
Northern terminus: LA 16 south of Franklinton
Parishes: St T, Wa
Multilane sections: None known
Multiplexes: With LA 40, Waldheim
Street names: Lee Road

LA 437 Spur

Length: 1.1 miles
Southern terminus: LA 437
Northern terminus: US 190
Communities: Covington
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: None
Street names: Columbia Street

LA 450

Length: 27.83 miles
Southern terminus: LA 25 north of Folsom
Northern terminus: MS state line
Parishes: St T, Wa
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes:
Street names:

From the annals of useless 1000-series routes………

LA 1077

Length: 20.79 miles
Southern terminus: Boat ramp @ mouth of Tchefuncte River @ Lake Pontchartrain shoreline
Northern terminus: LA 25 south of Folsom
Communities: Madisonville, Goodbee
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: None
Street names:

LA 1078

Length: 5.08 miles
Western terminus: LA 1077
Eastern terminus: LA 25
Communities: south of Folsom
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: None
Street names:

LA 1080

Length: 3.05 miles
Southern terminus: Dead end, 1.3 miles south of JCT LA 40
Northern terminus: End of state maintenance 1.7 miles north of JCT LA 40
Communities: East of Folsom
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: None
Street names:

In the (heavy) competition for the “Most Useless SR” awards, this one came real close to taking the top prize. This SR consists of a short strip of road running perpendicularly to the north and south of LA 40 east of Folsom, apparently with no discernable purpose in mind.

LA 1081

Length: 5.7 miles
Southern terminus: LA 437
Northern terminus: LA 437
Communities: North of Covington
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: None
Street names:

A pointless loop off of LA 437 north of Covington.

LA 1082

Length: 8.35 miles
Southern terminus: LA 21
Northern terminus: LA 40
Communities: North central St. Tammany Parish
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: None
Street names:

LA 1083

Length: 3.05 miles
Southern terminus: JCT Local Road south of LA 21
Northern terminus: LA 40
Communities: Waldheim
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: With LA 21
Street names:

LA 1084

Length: 3.05 miles
Western terminus: LA 21
Eastern terminus: LA 1083
Communities: Waldheim
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: None
Street names:

These three routes can be found doing nothing particular in the rural heart of St. Tammany Parish.

LA 1085

Length: 3.05 miles
Western terminus: LA 22
Eastern terminus: LA 21 (could have been truncated to LA 1077)
Communities:
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: None
Street names:

Can be found wasting state highway mileage arcing to the west and north of Madisonville.

LA 1087

Length: 2.31 miles
Southern terminus: Interchange with North Causeway Approach Blvd (not DOTD maintained).
Northern terminus: US 190/LA 59
Communities: Mandeville
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: None
Street names: Monroe Street, Gerard Street

Entirely within the historic part of the city of Mandeville. A quaint change of scenery from the usual exurban sprawl St. Tammany Parish has to offer.

LA 1088

Length: 9.7 miles
Western terminus: LA 59
Eastern terminus: LA 36
Communities:
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: None
Street names:

A presently rural road spurring northeast from the Mandeville area toward the rural undeveloped heart (for now) of St. Tammany Parish. Looks to be a favored corridor for future growth due to its proximity to already-developed areas, the sprouting of several subdivisions already, and the future interchange planned at the site of 1088’s crossover of I-12 for the planned 4-lane highway to Bogalusa, LA 3241.

LA 1089

Length: 1.52 miles
Southern terminus: Roundabout in Fontainebleau State Park near Lake Pontchartrain shoreline
Northern terminus: US 190
Communities: Entirely within Fontainebleau SP
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: None
Street names:

This route can best be described as a “State Park Access Road,” as it is basically the main access road into and within Fontainebleau State Park east of Mandeville. The 1955 log states that LA 1089 constitutes all roads and driveways within the park (similar to the deceased LA 736 of Longfellow-Evangeline SP fame) but the present route log treats it as a single, linear route. I thus presume that only the main road now counts as the SR (though there are many other roads in the park).

This route is totally unmarked, not on US 190 or on the road itself, even though a lot of maps do correctly show it. Take it from me, it doesn’t exist in the field; I’ve looked hard for signs on my several trips to Fontainebleau.

LA 1090

Length: 4.52 miles
Southern terminus: US 190
Northern terminus: I-59 (exit 3A)/US 11
Communities: Slidell, Pearl River
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: None
Street names: Military Highway

Serves the sprawling east side of Slidell, near the Pearl River marshland. Given patterns of growth, I can foresee an interchange with I-10 in the future.

LA 1091

Length: 5.13 miles
Southern terminus: US 190/Gause Blvd.
Northern terminus: US 11
Communities: Slidell, Alton
Multilane sections: Four lanes with center turn, US 190 to I-12 overpass
Multiplexes: None
Street names: Robert Road

Robert Road is a major arterial in the northeast part of the city of Slidell, but that still doesn’t make this a state highway quality road.

LA 1093-1

Length: 0.42 mile
Southern terminus: US 190/LA 434, spurring northwest from there to…
Northern terminus: Huey P. Long Fish Hatchery
Communities: Lacombe
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: None
Street names:

Tell me, why does the state of Louisiana need a state fish hatchery, much less two useless side-street SRs leading to said hatchery? Oh wait, the name says it all.

LA 1093-3

Length: 0.48 mile
Southern terminus: US 190
Northern terminus: LA 1093-1
Communities: Lacombe
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: None
Street names:

Associated with the above 1093-1 and the aforementioned state fish hatchery, connecting the spur to US 190 on Lacombe’s west side.

Yes, there was an LA 1093-2. It consisted of most of the streets surrounding the public school in Lacombe (the others were either part of section 1 or 3).

LA 1129

Length: 5.06 miles
Southern terminus: LA 40
Northern terminus: End of state maintenance 1.9 miles south of Washington Parish line
Communities:
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: None
Street names:

Based on the overall clustering scheme, this road should really be in Acadia Parish.

LA 3081

Length: 1.6 miles
Southern terminus: US 11/LA 41
Northern terminus: Dead end @ Pearl River
Communities: Pearl River
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: None
Street names:

The old, pre-interstate alignment of US 11 through Pearl River.

LA 3228

Length: 0.65 mile
Southern terminus: US 190
Northern terminus: US 190 freeway east frontage road
Communities: Mandeville
Multilane sections: None
Multiplexes: None
Street names: Ashbury Drive

This road remains on the state payroll due to its previous life as an alignment of US 190; it can be found to the northeast of the US 190/LA 22/Causeway Approach interchange in northern Mandeville.