Does anyone know...can you drive through New Orleans

[jajuan]

on I-10? We are driving to Tampa for Christmas and mapquest is still showing I-10 through NO and I don't know if the roads are open or even still there. TIA.

 

[Towncrier]

A quick search on Wikipedia gives the following information:

NOTE: In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the Twin Span, a portion of I-10 between New Orleans and Slidell spanning the eastern end of Lake Pontchartrain has been severely damaged, causing a break in I-10. But unlike the Escambia Bay Bridge (east of Pensacola, Florida) which is a major artery, Interstate 12 is available to bypass New Orleans. The section between Baton Rouge and New Orleans is functioning as an I-x10 spur route as a result. On October 14, 2005 at 3:00 PM, the eastbound span was reopened to two way traffic. In Mississippi, the twin spans crossing the Pascagoula River were opened on October 1 and are now operational, making that state's portion fully fuctional.

 

[Muffin]

jajuan,
You will be able to drive through NO, but why wouldn't you want to pick up I-12 in Baton Rouge and stay on it until Slidell, totally bypassing NO.

If you do want to come through NO, one span of the I-10 twin span is open to 2-way traffic between NO and Slidell.

You won't have a problem either way you choose to go. Just be forewarned that traffic on I-10 through Baton Rouge is horrendous right now. Try to plan your trip to avoid it during afternoon rush hour heading east and morning rush hour heading west.

Let me know if you have any more questions, and I will try to help.

 

[snappy]

FYI, we live west of New Orleans and NEVER (even before Katrina) take 1-10
when going to Florida, we always take 1-12 through Hammond and Slidell. I think it is just west of Slidell you get back on I-10. It may be slightly longer in miles but it is faster. It is also the route AA gives FYI.

You can pick up I-12 in Baton Rouge. Look for it after the S. Acadian and College exit, stay in the left most lanes. If you get to the Bluebonnet, Siegen, Highland exits you have gone too far.

 

[Desiree]

Just be forewarned that traffic on I-10 through Baton Rouge is horrendous right now. Try to plan your trip to avoid it during afternoon rush hour heading east and morning rush hour heading west.

Amen! This is a MUST. My morning commute that normally takes 10 minutes now takes about 45!