Begin Eastbound LA 1088. With the recent completion of an interchange with Interstate 12 about three miles up the road, this highway is fast becoming busy.
This was the first eastbound reassurance shield for eastbound LA 1088. It has since been replaced with a Monochrome.
LA 1088 is not immune from the development sprawling all around Mandeville. Its rural character is quickly being lost to subdivisions.
The only intersection of consequence along LA 1088 other than the termini (at the time of this photo) is here at Soult Street (right turn) and Viola Street (left turn). Due to a rash of accidents (most of them involving my aunt), this intersection was converted to a four-way stop. Note the table-sized stop signs used here to make sure people get the idea.
This is an older shot of LA 1088 eastbound at its overcrossing of Interstate 12, circa 2008. The area looks way different now...
This is LA 1088 eastbound as of September 2011, at pretty much the same exact spot as the 2008 photo was taken. What a huge difference.
This vantage shows the marked difference between the newer overpass on the left (for westbound) and the older one (now eastbound-only.) The newer overpass is higher, the bridge span is wider, and the approaches are gentler.
Here is a view from the eastbound LA 1088 overpass, looking down at I-12 eastbound. At the time this photo was taken, LA 1088 simply crossed over the Interstate without interchanging with it.
Across the overpass (the original overpass, I might add), connections to and from I-12 westbound.
After interchanging with I-12, LA 1088 will continue eastbound for about 6 more miles until its end at LA 36. The divided section ends about 1000 feet ahead. This is also the possible future start point for LA 3241 northbound.
Contrary to LA 1088's southern end, its northern side is devoid of development. That may change in the next few years.
More of the typical sights on this section of highway. This stretch was recently resurfaced because of a new high school going up just west of this vantage.
Rapidly approaching the end of the highway at its intersection with LA 36.
END! eastbound LA 1088 at an intersection with LA 36. A left will take you west to Abita Springs, while a right takes you east to Hickory and LA 41.
Now turned around, we're looking along westbound LA 1088 from the terminus. For the next six miles or so, LA 1088 runs through some of the most desolate highway miles in the parish, and the scenery isn't even that good. A new high school is being built about three miles from here along westbound, which should start attracting sprawl.
LA 1088 westbound reaches the only area of significance north of Interstate 12, a high school. This entrance is for the stadium.
LA 1088's three-lane section quickly ends here, at the main entrance to the new high school. The parish's explosion in population has necessitated the need for more schools, to accommodate a rapidly growing populace.
Taken in 2008 - This overpass will one day be the center of a future Exit 68 from Interstate 12 to LA 1088 and Future LA 3241. As of September 2011 - It's still standing, serving as the eastbound overpass!
Fast-forward to 2011. After about six miles of nothing, LA 1088 prepares to interchange with Interstate 12. This carriageway and its overpass are brand new.
Looking over westbound I-12 from the former westbound lane of the LA 1088 eastbound overpass back in 2008. The view is way different now as the Exit 68 interchange has been completed. A future four-laning of more of LA 1088 and redesignation of at least part of it as LA 3241 as part of a new corridor to Bogalusa will change the landscape dramatically.
Crossing the overpass, one comes upon this sign for I-12 East.
On the other side of the overpass, the divided section prepares to end. Three miles to Mandeville. The speed limit is 55, but not for long.
This is the view along westbound LA 1088 after passing the overcrossing of Interstate 12. It doesn't last for too long.
A little further along LA 1088, we reach the sprawl. Fifteen years previous, this stretch was quiet, and most definitely rural in character. Not anymore, though.
Approaching the intersection with Viola and Soult Streets along westbound.
Westbound LA 1088 enters a school zone. The western terminus is about 5/8 mile ahead.
Approaching LA 59 along westbound LA 1088. Unlike the eastern six miles, the western three miles have exploded in sprawl over the last decade, even without the I-12 interchange in place.
END! westbound LA 1088 at LA 59 near Mandeville. Take a right (LA 59 north) to reach Interstate 12 from here. (Westbound, anyways. Eastbound, it's shorter now to double back to I-12 on 1088.) A left (LA 59 south) will take you into the sprawl and confused development that is Mandeville.
In almost all cases, Louisiana never uses the three-digit 30 inch by 24 inch signs for its state highways, and uses Series B for the numbering. Freeways are different, as seen here - Series C on 30"x24" for the LA 1088 signs, Series D for the LA 36 trailblazer. These signs can be found on the I-12 West offramp to LA 1088.
Here's the other assembly from the eastbound offramp.
