In 1956 the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway was opened to traffic for the first time, along with a motorcade and grand opening ceremonies. Here is the program for that long-awaited event. Click on the images to make them larger.
First Year of Causeway Report
A booklet was produced by the Greater New Orleans Expressway Commission in 1956 to describe the past year's work on the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway and its approaches. Here is that booklet. Click on the images to make them larger.
Such a bridge between Mandeville and New Orleans had been dreamed about for decades, with all kinds of ideas thrown about to make it happen. In the early 1950's, however, came the combination of new bridge engineering techniques, substantial political will, and a cadre of residential developers seeking new customers. When, in 1956, the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway opened, some thought it was a marvelous milestone for the area, others thought it could become a worrisome millstone.
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