Huey P. Long Bridge (New Orleans) – Jefferson, Louisiana, USA | Train Spotting Location

Perched high above the Mississippi River and straddling the boundary between New Orleans and Jefferson Parish, the Huey P. Long Bridge is a bucket-list destination for serious railfans: a double-track, cantilever steel colossus where long, heavy freights grind up steep approaches, thunder across a 4½-mile crossing, and echo through the river valley below—offering unmatched views of big-power consists, dramatic bridge architecture, and the ever-moving commerce of America’s busiest waterway.

🛤️ The Trainspotting Experience

A typical visit rewards you with front-row seats to one of the most intense rail choke points on the Gulf Coast. The public river levee on the east bank (Jefferson Highway side) places you roughly 1,000 ft from the truss spans—close enough to feel the vibration as locomotives dig in for the 1.75 % grade yet far enough for safe viewing. Trains approach slowly on the climb, giving plenty of time to identify power sets, then accelerate to about 25 mph on the main span before coasting downhill to Bridge City. Expect wheel squeal on the tight curve at both ends and a deep, resonant growl that carries across the river. Night visits are equally memorable: the bridge is illuminated for highway traffic, so silhouettes of GEVOs and SD70s glide through a lattice of orange sodium light, their horns bouncing off the water and river barges below.

🌄 Landscape, Setting and Local Atmosphere

The scene combines heavy industry with coastal serenity. From the grassy levee you look out over wide, slow-moving water lined by oaks, cypress, and the metallic skyline of grain elevators and oil terminals. Pelicans skim the surface while towboats nudge barges under the bridge. Elevation on the levee is only about 20 ft, but the bridge towers 135 ft above the navigation channel, dominating the horizon. Humidity runs high year-round; breezes off the river offer relief even in midsummer. In winter, cool fronts bring crystal-clear air and dramatic sunsets that backlight trains in fiery reds and purples—prime shooting conditions.

🚂 Type and Frequency of Train Activity

Around 30–40 trains cross daily, the vast majority heavy freight. Union Pacific dispatches unit grain, petrochemical, and mixed manifests to and from the Avondale Yard. BNSF and CPKC (Kansas City Southern) run intermodal and merchandise trains via trackage rights, while Canadian National occasionally appears on detouring traffic. New Orleans Public Belt locals shuttle cars to Westwego and other riverfront industries, offering shorter trains of colorful patched units. Passenger service is rare—Amtrak uses other routes into New Orleans—but deadhead moves or private-car specials do show up a few times a year. Train lengths often exceed 7,000 ft; it is not uncommon to witness three-unit lash-ups with mid-train DPUs grinding over the span.

📸 Best Angles for Photos and What Railfans Enjoy Most

• East-bank levee south of Shrewsbury Road: classic broadside of the truss with full train in frame; morning light is ideal.
• West-bank levee at Bridge City: evening sun backlights exhaust plumes, and the New Orleans skyline peeks under the roadway deck.
• Jefferson Highway pull-off near the “Huey P. Long Bridge” sign: telephoto shot of locomotives cresting the apex with river traffic below.
Because the bridge is oriented roughly northwest-southeast, photographers can chase good light all day by switching banks. Bring a 200–400 mm lens for locomotives on the superstructure and a wide-angle for sweeping river views. The lattice work gives strong leading lines, and long exposure shots at dusk capture headlight streaks framed by the lit highway deck above the tracks.

🕰️ Historical or Cultural Relevance

Completed in 1935 under the guidance of famed engineer Ralph Modjeski, the Huey P. Long was the first bridge to span the Mississippi in Louisiana and, at the time, the longest steel bridge in the world. Its dual-use design—road above, rail below—reflected Governor Huey Long’s push to modernize Louisiana’s infrastructure during the Great Depression. Upgraded between 2006 and 2013 with widened highway lanes and strengthened rail girders, the structure remains a vital artery for Gulf Coast commerce. Locals view it as a working monument; its silhouette graces countless Mardi Gras parade floats and jazz album covers.

🧭 What Makes This Spot Different from Others

Few places let you observe Class I freights climbing a steep grade onto a historic cantilever bridge while massive oceangoing ships pass underneath—all within metro New Orleans. The blend of riverine commerce, vintage engineering, and constant rail action creates a sensory experience that flat prairie crossings or suburban mainlines simply cannot match. Add in unobstructed public access along the levee and year-round mild weather, and the Huey P. Long Bridge stands out as one of America’s most immersive big-bridge railfan venues.

📚 Additional Resources

New Orleans Public Belt Railroad
Louisiana Department of Transportation – Huey P. Long Bridge Project Archive
Historic American Engineering Record – Huey P. Long Bridge