Bridge approaches marked to honor Corps commandants

State highway workers installed signs Thursday on the approaches to the John James Audubon Bridge over the Mississippi River to honor two former U.S. Marine Corps commandants.

The state Department of Transportation and Development said in a news release the highway between La. 981 and La. 1 Business in New Roads is now named the General John A. Lejeune Memorial Approach.

On the West Feliciana side of the river, the new portion of La. 10 between the bridge and U.S. 61 is now known as the General Robert H. Barrow Memorial Approach, the news release says.

The signs are in response to 2011 legislation by former Rep. Tom McVea, R-St. Francisville, directing DOTD to name the approaches to the new bridge after Lejeune and Barrow in order to recognize each for their lifetimes of service and dedication to the United States.

The legislation also was proposed after Marine Corps veterans were unsuccessful in getting the Legislature to rename the bridge for the two generals.

LeJeune was born and raised in Pointe Coupee Parish. He attended LSU and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy. After graduation, he was commissioned in the Marine Corps and later selected as the Corps’ 13th commandant, a post he held from 1920 through 1929.

Barrow was born and raised in West Feliciana Parish. He attended LSU and enlisted in the Marine Corps during World War II, then served as the Corps’ 27th commandant from 1979 to 1983. He returned to reside in his hometown of St. Francisville after he retired.

The new $409 million bridge and approaches opened to traffic in May.