What’s the ruling grade on the Huey P Long bridge? Also what is the speed on that bridge and are there any weight restrictions?
Link to website on Wikipedia for Huey P. Long Bridge:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huey_P._Long_Bridge_(Jefferson_Parish)
Lots of information on bridge as to length, and specs. are available by searching BY name [Huey P. Long Bridge].
The bridge is currently undergoing a mjor rehabilitation of structure and appliances:
linked her: http://www.timedla.com/bridge/long/overview/
Unfrtunately, there seems to be little information as to the % of grade on the bridge. From personal experience it is what I would consider a pretty ‘steep’ grade for rail traffic, for automobiles not too steep.
But, I can vouch that when you are traversing the roadway in a vehicle [car or big truck] It is a nerve wracking experience to be stuck in a stop on the bridge and have a tran climb past on either of the two railroad tracks. The shaking is completely terrifying if you are on your first trip over that roadway. The shaking and the growling of the locomotives as they rumble past a few feet away is downright apocalyptic to someone who does not often go that Hwy 90 route.[:'(]
[:-,] Good way to interrogate terrorists ? [swg]
If you look at the “timedla” link Sam provided, be sure to click on “Big Lift III” at the end of the 11 minute video for a time-lapse view of the positioning of the new spans. It’s fascinating how they pre-assembled the trusses, lifted them, then slid them into place in pairs.
Sam, you know the bridge! To me it was just as scary looking at it from below: the original bridge was a railroad bridge with with a very narrow two-lane roadway attached to each side on shelf-brackets. Quite a few drivers would staddle the two lanes, to the annoyance of everyone else. There were signs on the approaches, “Truck passing truck prohibited” but every once in a while one would try it anyway, and they wound up getting wedged in, causing quite a mess. Mention crossing the Huey P. to the locals, and you’re likely to trigger a long discussion.
The rail approaches to the bridge are 1.25% grades. NOPB 31-33, Baldwin "VO900"s, were NOPB’s first diesels and worked in pairs on transfers across the bridge. See these links:
http://yardlimit.railfan.net/baldwindiesels/magazine-1939-1/index.html
Having grown up in the South, I was somewhat familiar with Railroad bridges with roadways attached ( The Harahan Bridge at Memphis, was a frequent Sunday morning, after church adventure) THe I-90 Bridge at Baton Rouge is also a jarring memory as you crossed it (while a MOPAC crossed with you)… And the Vicksburg Bridge was another exciting river crossing when done while an ICRR freight hammered across with you.
The Huey P. Long was its own special place in my memories. To have to sti there while a multiple unit set of locomotives running at what seemed like full throttle, while doing somewhere around a fast walk would make your ears hurt, eyes burn from the diesel smoke, and your head pound from the noise, as you sat there a captive to a usual traffic jam. Knowing in jour mind that nothing could shake like that and hold together while being shaken like a dog would a rag doll. And then along would come cars with flat spots ( seemed like square wheels). YEP! The Huey P. Long has it’s own memories indelibly, imbedded in my memories! .
I am curious as to the power requirements for getting heavy, long freights across the bridge. It’s very flat in LA so are helpers ever necessary on the bridge? Or do trains just crawl over it?
Since it is relatively unusual for us to get stopped on a significant bridge structure when other traffic on the bridge structure is moving we don’t realize the vibrations and bridge movement that any moving traffic on the bridge generates. Feeling this movement for the first time can be unsettling. The reality is that bridges move in response to the stresses and strains that moving traffic place on them…be that highway traffic or rail traffic.
We lived in Houma for a couple of years and shopped in NO. That bridge is something I don’t miss. My wife refused to cross unless I promised to use the inside lane. I still remember the whining the first time we crossed in the outside lane. 
Resurecting a story about the New Orleans famous Huey P. Long bridge. I know this link is getting a little musty, but I could not resist bring it back for a little "Paul Harvey’ Treatment!
Some who have read this Thread, are aware that for several years now the Us Hwy 90 roadway goes over the Huey Long Bridge along with a double tracked rail line. Since about 2005/2006 the State and City governments have been doing a much needed rebild on the structure. Adding an extra lane and shoulders on the roadways.
Also to clear the air The Long Bridge is owned by The Public Belt Railway of New Orleans. I am not going to launch into a political diatribe about the vagueries of Louisiana Politics. Sufficed to say they seem to be present when ever large some of money and projects happen in the Bayou State,
Trains Newswire of this date carries a story referencing some shenanigans involving the former Gen. Mgr. of said Public Belt Railway and a tale of THREE heavyweight Pullman cars. Seems those cars were refurbished to the (admitted tune of some 3 million bucks) Obviously, a first class rehabilitation!
THe following linked website is nola.com @
http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2010/07/new_orleans_public_belt_railro_1.html
" New Orleans Public Belt Railroad suspends use of railroad party car "##### Published: Thursday, July 29, 2010, 9:30 PM
Being from Illinois, this may be a bit inappropriate, but I will say that public corruption is pulled off with a lot more panache in Louisiana than in New Jersey or Illinois.