LA 59 begins its northward journey here in Mandeville at an intersection with LA 1087 and US 190. There should be a reassurance shield here...
...Oh, here it is. This is where the first reassurance shield ended up - uprooted and tossed down into the mud. It was replaced with a Monochrome, despite the fact that a good wash would have made it usable again.
Northbound LA 59 cuts through unincorporated Mandeville. It's a fairly condensed three-lane highway here, with no room to be widened without massive right-of-way costs. Shame, as traffic frequently backs up here in the afternoons.
About a mile north of the southern terminus, we arrive at the western terminus of LA 1088. It travels about 9 miles to the northeast to terminate at LA 36.
A closer shot at the signs being blocked in the other photo by traffic.
Past LA 1088, this reassurance shield exists. LA 59's next major intersection is with I-12 about two miles ahead.
Northbound LA 59 past Viola Street. It encounters a few stoplights between here and Interstate 12. Fifteen years ago, none of those stoplights existed. Unlike the section closer to Mandeville, this section could easily be widened.
This short two-lane section exists between Lonesome and Sharp Roads. To the left, the chained-off area used to be an old country store. The price of progress...
Approaching Sharp Road (Former Parish Route 24) along LA 59 northbound. Sharp Road sees a lot of traffic traveling between the western and eastern parts of Mandeville.
Northbound LA 59 approaches Interstate 12 ahead. LA 59 expands to four lanes very briefly through the interchange. The expansion was done by striping the shoulders.
To the right, traffic departs for I-12 eastbound. This section may have been widened to better accomodate truck traffic, which often had to use the shoulder to assist in making a turn.
Traffic departs LA 59 northbound for I-12 westbound at this stoplight. North of here, LA 59 traverses a semi-industrial area and consequently sees an above-average amount of truck traffic.
LA 59 northbound continues on past Interstate 12, north of Mandeville. The St. Tammany Parish Government Complex is to the left ahead, near the small green sign.
Here, LA 59 northbound intersects Harrison Road, a heavily traveled connector to US 190.
Now inside Abita Springs, LA 59 takes a sharp turn to the right as it prepares to intersect LA 36.
LA 59 prepares to junction LA 36 ahead. Note the odd signage for LA 59 on that sign - although the font is right, the text is off-center. The sign was likely reused.
This traffic circle governs movements to and from LA 36, LA 59 and Level Street. It is the only traffic circle involving highways in the entire parish. It replaced a four-way stoplight which caused frequent delays on northbound LA 59 and eastbound LA 36/southbound LA 59.
Entering the traffic circle in Abita Springs from LA 59 northbound.
Departing the traffic circle, we continue on LA 59 northbound and LA 36 westbound. Note these Louisiana route signs - they do not use Series B.
Now in Abita Springs, here's LA 435 at its western terminus. Keep in mind that we picked up LA 36 about a block behind this photo.
LA 36 and LA 59 prepare to exit Abita Springs and end their concurrency about a third of a mile ahead.
LA 36 West/LA 59 North continue multiplexed past the intersection with LA 435.
Here, LA 36 and LA 59 end their marriage. Both highways will end in a couple of miles at LA 21. Northbound interests should turn right onto LA 59, while westbound and Covington-bound traffic should use LA 36.
LA 59 North departs the concurrency in Abita Springs.
LA 59 intersects Lowe Davis Road here.
LA 59 prepares to junction LA 21 ahead.
END! LA 59 North. Left: LA 21 South to Covington. Right: LA 21 North to Bogalusa.
Now on southbound LA 59 in Abita Springs, in the midst of its concurrency with eastbound LA 36. To the left here is LA 435 (Main Street), which leads to Talisheek.
Past LA 435's western terminus, LA 36 and LA 59 prepare to end their brief marriage at the traffic circle, ahead. The speed limit is strictly enforced here.
This is a shot from the Tammany Trace of LA 59 south of Abita Springs. For virtually its entire length between Mandeville and Abita Springs, La 59 is three lanes. Once LA 59 enters Abita Springs town limits, LA 59 sheds the center turning lane.
LA 59 South will junction US 190 ahead.
This shot is near LA 59's southern terminus, taken May 2008. Before the reconfiguration of this intersection, LA 1087 was signed as an additional junction.
END! LA 59 South. Left: US 190 East to Slidell. Straight: LA 1087 South. Right: US 190 West to Covington.
