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The Atchafalaya Basin Freeway
   It is late and the idea just came to me to campaign against a road.. These pictures were taken Friday from a car during terrible rain storms on the raised portion of I-10, which crosses the 16 miles of the Atchafalaya Basin which lies within the levee system. You think that sentence was long, take this ride.
    Below is Henderson Lake. It is one of the few beauty spots on this route. Other routes offer simular vantages without the danger of this road. One such danger can be seen in the rearview mirror. This is Semi Alley. In all fairness, they have been behaving somewhat lately. The death toll caused by them has mandated, finally, that they remain in the right lane at fifty-five mph. Most do. But not 55.  And, some still pull out and pass. You just don't know when.
   Below is the bridge crossing the Atchafalaya River, or what is left of it, right after Henderson Lake. The main flow has been channeled down the Whiskey Bay Chute. The bridges do not have shoulders in case of an emergency. There is a Welcome Center at Butte LaRose. There are dangerous ramps, east and west bound.
     Below is a view of the Whiskey Bay Channel. It was dug and then the Atchafalaya chose it as its way to the Gulf.  East and West bound lanes merge toward each other as they approach the bridge. Sleepy drivers miss this and the result is another group of fatalities.
  Ah, the home stretch. See the traffic on the other side. That is common.
    Yee ha, we're still alive. And, for once, no traffic stoppages, no rerouting down the 25 miles of gravel road because of a toxic chemical spill. No fire on the Whiskey Bay,  no semi tire rubber flug at us. And, we got to do it at that amazing speed of 60 miles per hour while those with less social responcibility passed us at 85, hydrofoiling along in the white-out rain storm.
    This is the east levee of the impounded Atchafalaya Basin. From here it is about 20 miles on into Baton Rouge. The road goes over soft marsh and semis have created ruts in the blacktop. If you don't fit the axle width, you are pulled from side to side. Hold your steering wheel tightly.
    Having passed the Basin Test, you are ready for Baton Rouge and the Mississippi River Bridge.  Deceptive picture. After 3:30 pm, traffic is stopped, so you can watch the boats, a lot. Then it creeps and jerks.  An hour plus can be spent going through Baton Rouge between 3 and 6. I haven't been there for morning "rush", but I'm sure it's nice, also.
    I have shown you what there is to see on the Basin Freeway.  Now, you've done it and there is no reason to go this way. I hate it, and, I should be numb to it and just not care. Not. I will not ride it on my motorcycle.  Just the thought of that big piece of rubber coming at me is enough to keep me off it .
    If you have to make time and can't spend an hour more, go I-10 to Baton Rouge  If you have the time, take the route that you would be sent on if the bridge was closed, which is a real possibility. That would be I-49 from Lafayette to Opelousas and four laned US 190, recently resurfaced and a 60 and 65mph speed limit, into Baton Rouge. Lots of Basin can be seen that way.  Plus, a great side trip to New Roads and the levee road can be taken into Baton Rouge where you cross the Mississippi on a much more mellow bridge. Lots of pluses.
Even Better
   If you are headed to or from New Orleans, take US 90. It is four laned the whole way. Only slow down is approaching downtown  New Orleans, but you're right there. No Metaire and I-10 to fool with. Destination New Orleans, no way I'm going through Baton Rouge. 45 miutes tops addition to the ride, no nervous breakdown, relaxed, beautiful. What ya want?  Plus, here we go, you can get off of 90 and onto La. 182 and do the little towns with the great architecture and historical interest. Beats Whiskey Bay. Plus, I'm doing an article on Sugarcane Alley which will be your guide to a part of the trip. That's what this whole rant has been about. It's called "promotion". A link to a preview can be found below.
Ray suggested the tune, "Riders on the Storm", by the Doors. Midi was downloaded from here.
Click here to see what is available down La.182 and US 90, going to or from New Orleans.
Chick here to see what you can see by going up to US 190,  going to or from Baton Rouge.
    I have no interest in going either way, and, I prefer to get there fast, and, I want to  take my chances. I also have a death wish and  need further counseling.
Then Press