Ever wondered why this pair of bridges is called the Crescent City Connection? It is quite a story.
The Crescent City Connection, or CCC, stands before you. It is more than just a way to cross the Mississippi River. It embodies the spirit and progress of New Orleans.
Before the Crescent City Connection, crossing the Mississippi was a challenge. Ferries were the primary method. The first bridge south of Baton Rouge was the Huey P. Long Bridge. However, it was a few miles upriver. A bridge in the heart of New Orleans was needed.
Construction of the first span began in 1954. It opened in April 1958 as the Greater New Orleans Bridge. At the time, it was the world’s longest cantilever bridge. This single span spurred growth on the West Bank. It offered two lanes of traffic in each direction.
The second span’s construction started in 1981. It was originally named the Greater New Orleans Bridge No. 2. It finally opened in September 1988, missing the 1984 Louisiana World Exposition. The original span closed temporarily. This allowed replacement of the asphalt deck with concrete.
In 1989, a public contest renamed the bridges. Jennifer Grodsky won with the name Crescent City Connection. The Louisiana Legislature officially designated the bridges as such. Interestingly, local Vietnamese Americans call it Cầu Con Cò. This translates to Pelican Bridge. This is due to the pelican on the blue signs.
From 1989 to 2013, the Crescent City Connection Division maintained the bridge as a toll bridge. In 2013, voters removed the tolls. The Louisiana Department of Public Safety now oversees the crossing.
Here is something interesting. Because of the Mississippi River’s winding course, the Crescent City Connection has wrong-way concurrencies. The eastbound span carries Business US 90 West. The westbound span carries Business US 90 East.
Did you know the Crescent City Connection was the fifth most traveled toll bridge in the US? In 2006, it saw over 63 million vehicles.
The Crescent City Connection even plays a role in the annual Crescent Connection Road Race. This race uses the HOV lanes. It started as a fundraiser for the bridge’s decorative lights.
During Hurricane Katrina in 2005, tolls were halted. This aided the evacuation. The Crescent City Connection was the only open highway in and out of the east bank after the storm.
The Crescent City Connection has also appeared in movies. It featured in Dèjá Vu and 21 Jump Street. It also appeared in NCIS: New Orleans and The Amazing Race 32.
So, as you stand here, remember the Crescent City Connection. It is more than steel and concrete. It’s a symbol of connection, resilience, and the vibrant spirit of New Orleans.