Pistol Bridge

The Calcasieu River Bridge is often talked about as the "scariest" bridge in Louisiana.  Our state, because it has a lot of water, has lots of bridges.  This bridge goes over the Calcasieu River in Lake Charles is in need of replacement.  It was built in 1952 and has exceeded it's lifespan.  I drive over the bridge almost everyday.  There is no shoulder, it is steep, and you can count on someone's vehicle breaking down 7on the bridge and causing traffic delays.

Those delays will put you and your vehicle at a standstill while you wait for the wrecker to come clear the vehicle off of the roadway.  While you are waiting, there's plenty to look at.  I'm told that when this bridge was built, the builders were interested in more than simply moving the traveler over the water.  They wanted the bridge to be pretty and have a distinctive artistic flair.  

While I was in a traffic jam the other day, I had the opportunity to look at this "artistic flair" up close and personal.  The Calcasieu River Bridge in Lake Charles has crossed flintlock derringer pistols.  These are the types of pistols that pirates used.  Pirate Jean Lafitte sailed around this area.  Supposedly there is gold hidden in one of the many bayous.  There are 5,286 pair of these pistols on the bridge.

There's probably not that many anymore, though.  Numerous vehicles have hit the railing, knocking the pistols off of the bridge and into the water far below.

From what I understand, they are trying to raise money to replace the bridge (before it falls into the water far below as well.)  As I was looking at the pistols on the bridge, I was thinking that it would be neat to have a pair as a souvenir.  When the bridge is finally torn down and replaced, I'm thinking that perhaps they could auction off some of the pistols to locals who would want a nice conversation piece to frame and hang over the mantel.

A Bridge Too Far

I'm going to start off with great news (to me at least).  The time change we experienced on Sunday has made the days longer.  When I get home now the sun is still shining and it gives me an opportunity to get outside and get a few things done.  The weather is starting to get nice and it just feels good.

Here's the bad news and I don't mean to complain.  The commute is somewhere on the continuum between intolerable and mind-numbing.  Road construction on the I-210 bridge has pushed almost everyone to travel on I-10.  I've discovered some back roads that take me on a long and meandering circuitous route through the country to get home.  It is almost twice the miles, but less time than stuck in traffic.  A 40 mile commute that, prior to construction, took me 42 minutes, now routinely takes 1 hour and 45 minutes to two hours.  Enough of the belly-aching...

Every once in a blue moon, I'll take I-10 just to see if things have gotten better... and quickly find - it has not.  One big, fat parking lot heading eastbound until you get to the top of the bridge.  Here is a big positive, though.  I've gotten to look at the details on the bridge up close and personal.

The Lake Charles I-10 Bridge spans the Calcasieu River as it flows into Lake Charles.  It has a really interesting feature.  Its railings are accented by 5,286 pairs of dueling pistols like buccaneers carried.  Now 50-60 pair are lost or missing due to accidents, but they still look nice and give the bridge some charm.  I read that originally the railings bordered what was a pedestrian path, but the bridge was closed to pedestrian traffic when the bridge became part of the I-10 system.

Image Credit

The bridge was opened in 1952 and the dueling pistols pay homage to the area's pirate history and legends of Jean Lafitte.  It is said that the infamous pirate has chests of doubloons buried among local bayous.  I spend my lunch breaks scouring the banks of Contraband Bayou searching for retirement income.  No success in locating treasure yet, but I'll keep you posted.  Of course I jest.

While the bridge is rich in history, lore, and charm, it is poor in other areas.  According to THIS LINK

The state of Louisiana has rated this bridge at 2.4 on the National Bridge
Inventory Rating Scale of 0 to 9 with 0 being "Failed Condition". Therating of 2.4 on the Calcasieu River Bridge classes this bridge at or near"Critical Condition".

Yikes!

Perhaps I should stick to my long, meandering "country" route home!  I mean looking at dueling pistols adorning the railing is nice, but plummeting to my death on my commute home isn't on my bucket list.

Whistling Past the Graveyard