Welcome to US Highway 11. This picture is from its southernmost extent, looking northbound at the first reassurance marker. No directional banner is posted. At one point, this highway extended all the way into Downtown New Orleans via a concurrency with US 90.
This mileage sign greets northbound travelers soon after the beginning of US 11 northbound. Slidell is 18 miles from this point. Bogalusa is 59 miles from here, but you have to use LA 41 and LA 21 to reach it.
For the first few miles on northbound US 11, this is the sight that greets motorists - total desolation befitting a wildlife refuge. Oh, wait... this highway runs through a wildlife refuge! :P
This sign greets travelers on US 11 northbound as it leaves the Bayou Sauvage Wildlife Refuge and enters Irish Bayou. Although this community is marked by a sign designating it as such, it is still part of New Orleans.
Another shot from Irish Bayou. I've no idea what the tower is for.
Now approaching Irish Bayou, the waterway for which the community was named.
Approaching the interchange with eastbound I-10 from US 11 northbound. This is the only intersection between the two highways.
Although hard to see due to the lighting, the green sign on bottom right is directing northbound travelers to use the southbound-to-eastbound ramp to I-10. The ramp that normally connects from northbound to eastbound currently connects to nothing due to bridge construction.
Ahead is the Maestri Bridge, formerly the Ponchartrain Bridge and the Watson-Williams Ponchartrain Bridge. Alternately called the Five-Mile Bridge, it carries US 11's two lanes across the lake to the community of North Shore and the city of Slidell. This bridge predates the I-10 Twin Spans by 37 years.
This pulloff is the point chosen to get out of the car and take a few more pictures of the US 11 bridge itself, as well as take some snaps of the I-10 Twin Span Bridges.
Looking west from the pulloff spot captured in the last photo, at the Norfolk Southern Ponchartrain Bridge.
A close shot of one of the speed limit signs for the bridge. Due to its narrow width and lack of passing allowed, keeping all traffic at a similar speed is crucial to keeping traffic flowing.
My guess would be that this "Public Service Graffiti" was added after Katrina came through.
Here, looking northbound at the side of the bridge as it overcrosses the lake.
Back in the car, traveling along the Five-Mile Bridge north to Slidell. This picture was taken on a Sunday, so traffic is fairly light.
See you in Slidell.
Crossing into St. Tammany Parish along the US 11 bridge northbound. Had to switch to the 35mm camera for the next few shots.
Passing is not allowed anywhere on the two-lane bridge. Ahead, the drawbridge segment.
Crossing the deck of the drawbridge section of the Five-Mile Bridge. Land is visible a little over a mile ahead.
US 11 northbound/LA 433 westbound briefly enter a concurrency here, between Old Spanish Trail and Front Street.
Only a couple of blocks west of the previous photo, the concurrency ends. Left: Front Street. Straight ahead: LA 433 (Bayou Liberty Road) westbound. Right: US 11 (Front Street, historic Old Spanish Trail) northbound.
US 11 north departs the intersection with Business US 190 (US 190-Y). Back when Business 190 was mainline 190, it was concurrent with this stretch of US 11.
US 11 northbound in Slidell now, along its Front Street portion. Here, it intersects with US 190. At one point, US 190 traveled south along a concurrency with US 11 to Fremaux Avenue, and Gause Boulevard eastbound was designated as Louisiana Highway 1092. As if that wasn't enough history, when this stretch of US 11 was instead designated as US 90, US 190's east end was at the intersection pictured, and it began to the left. *whew*
This shot was taken along US 11 North exiting Slidell - the bridge dates back to this road's designation as “State Route 2!”
Not actually on US 11 here, but we're about to turn northward (right) onto it. This image is taken from the northern end of LA 1091.
Now entering the town of Pearl River. US 11 diverts from its original routing about a mile or so ahead.
At the intersection ahead, US 11 turns east to meet Interstate 59. US 11 and I-59 travel northeast into Mississippi from there. LA 41 is a left at the intersection; use it to reach Bush and eventually Bogalusa. US 11's old routing continues straight ahead as LA 3081.
Northbound US 11 after the stoplight in Pearl River. This alignment does not last long, as US 11 will be departing it within a mile.
Approaching the Exit 3 complex of Interstate 59 on US 11 northbound. To remain on US 11, you must use I-59 northbound. The roadway defaults to LA 1090 on the other side of the overpass.
After Exit 3, I-59 picks up US 11. The two stay joined until Exit 1 in Mississippi.
The next exit for I-59/US 11 North is Spur LA 41 West, Exit 5A.
One half mile to Exit 5A.
Traffic bound for Spur LA 41 will exit here at Exit 5A.
US 11 and I-59 northbound reach Exit 5B, Honey Island Swamp. This exit also leads to an otherwise inaccessible part of US 11's former alignment.
Southbound on US 11/I-59 now, 1/2 mile from Exit 3, where US 11 departs the concurrency. LA 1090 also begins/ends at the upcoming interchange.
US 11 departs from Interstate 59 here. Notice the error on the sign?
US 11 southbound through Slidell. In the past, US 190 eastbound was concurrent with this section, and departed the concurrency at the left turn ahead. Today, that old alignment of US 190 is signed as Business US 190, and noted in the Louisiana Route Log as "US 190-Y".
Looking at US 11 from the foot of the bridge. It flies over I-10 on an elaborate overpass.
US 11 southbound crossing over Irish Bayou... as in the waterway.
END! southbound US 11 here at US 90. Taking a left takes you to Venetian Isles, Lake St. Catherine and Gulfport, MS. A right takes you to New Orleans, and allows connection to Chalmette via I-510 South.
