Interstate 55 in Louisiana

Interstate 55 is a major north–south Interstate Highway that serves the middle of the United States. It runs 963.5 miles (1,550.6 km) from Interstate 10 in Laplace, Louisiana - about 25 miles (40 km) west of New Orleans to U.S. 41 in Chicago, Illinois.

Route description

In Louisiana, I-55 begins at I-10 near Laplace and is immediately joined by US 51. Paralleled by Old US 51, it snakes its way between Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Maurepas on its way to Ponchatoula. Much of this part of the journey is through the Manchac Wildlife Management Area aboard the Manchac Swamp bridge. Just south of Ponchatoula US-51 Business splits to head into town, while the interstate and federal route continue their bypass to the west. US 51 itself splits off just before the interchange with I-12. Here, I-55 forms a western bypass of Hammond, while I-12 splits between Hammond and Ponchatoula. North of Hammond, I-55 parallels US 51 all the way to the Mississippi line, bypassing all the rural towns that the federal route passes through.

Exit list

References