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The elevated span of Swamp Expressway that carries I-10 across the Atchafalaya Basin is a remarkable thing, but there were plans afoot to build an even more remarkable roadway across the huge wetland well before I-10 was even on the drawing boards.
In fact, the Sunshine Bridge across the Mississippi River near Donaldsonville was originally conceived as part of a toll road that would run from Lafayette through St. Martin, Iberville, Ascension, and St. James parishes to Lutcher, where it would cross the river and link to the Airline Highway and New Orleans.
A coalition of leaders from the parishes authorized engineers to start planning the million-dollar-a-mile highway across the Basin in early January 1953.
Ernest M. Loeb, who represented the company that would handle the bonds to finance the highway, said the project would cost so much because the road would pass through “considerable bayou country” and require a major new bridge over the Mississippi and lesser crossings over 17 other bayous and rivers.
Nonetheless, he said, it would be worth the expense because it would cut two or three hours off the driving time from most south Louisiana communities to New Orleans.
Part of the savings in travel time would come about because the toll road was to be built to Interstate standards, before Interstate standards had even been formed.
“The highway will have no grade crossings or direct traffic intersections and will bypass all towns,” the planners told the press. “Cars should be able to maintain constant speeds of 65 to 70 miles per hour.”
The late Judge Kaliste Saloom Jr. was the legal advisor for the toll road, which was to be called the Acadian Throughway. He said in an interview some years ago that the main reasons it didn’t happen were those old Louisiana bugaboos, politics and money.
“We had $110 million in revenue bonds lined up to build the road,” he recalled, “but the bond people wanted assurance that the state would not come along and build a free road close to our toll road and jeopardize its revenue. There was some history for that. In the 1930s, Huey Long built a free road next to a toll road from New Orleans to Slidell because he got into a political fight with the mayor of New Orleans. The bond people wanted assurances that there would be none of that.
“We went to visit Earl Long, who had just replaced Gov. Bob Kennon, and Earl gave us assurances that he would not build a free road. He said he didn’t have the money to do it even if he wanted to.”
But Uncle Earl wouldn’t put that down on paper. He said signing something might give the impression that he endorsed a toll road and that could cause him political trouble.
Without a firm commitment from the state, lenders were reluctant to put up the big money needed for the Acadian Throughway.
Judge Saloom thought the financial troubles could have been overcome eventually, but that the back-and-forth with the state delayed the project too long. While the squabbling in Louisiana was going on, President Eisenhower unveiled his plan to build an Interstate highway system.
That still might not have been fatal to the toll road, except for more politics and maneuvering.
Ike’s original plan was to link every community in the United States with a population of 50,000 people or more to its state capital. At that time, Lafayette had not taken off on its oil-fueled building spree and didn’t have that population. That meant it wouldn’t automatically be linked to the federal road system. The original design for I-10 followed the already existing U.S. 190 through St. Landry Parish.
That was far enough north of its proposed route that the toll road might still have been feasible.
But then congressmen T.A. Thompson and Ed Willis got the Interstate moved to the south, to its present route through Lafayette, and there was no way that a toll road that close to a major, free highway could have generated the traffic and income needed to satisfy the lenders.
Before the decision was finally made to abandon the toll road plan, however, engineers had already designed a bridge across the Mississippi at Lutcher. That was the design used when Gov. Jimmy Davis built the bridge named for his famous song, “You are My Sunshine.”
When it was built in the 1960s, that bridge was roundly criticized because it connected nothing but sprawling cane fields on either side of the river. Folks called it “a bridge to nowhere.”
But those critics forgot that the Sunshine Bridge was once a part of the first ambitious plan to span the Atchafalaya Basin with a major roadway — a plan, incidentally, very much like one that is regularly bandied about every hurricane season when evacuation planners yearn for another major road to help move traffic out of harm’s way.
A collection of Jim Bradshaw’s columns, Cajuns and Other Characters, is now available from Pelican Publishing. You can contact him at jimbradshaw4321@gmail.com or P.O. Box 1121, Washington LA 70589.

KAPLAN — Not many of us can say we have had a job for 55 years, but one Kaplan man can.
Lenwood Meaux, 67, has been playing the organ at Holy Rosary Catholic Church for Masses, funerals weddings, or any other special occasions that take place in the church.
Meaux, a self-taught musician, began playing when he has been in 7th grade.
“When Monsignor Berbe’s sister, Miss Cecile, quit playing,” said Meaux, “I knocked on the rectory door and offered my services. Father Fernando Roy accepted and the rest is history.
“I didn’t even have to audition, because there was no one to audition against,” laughs Meaux.
After getting the job at the church, Meaux took a few piano lessions to learn more about his gift.
He played through high school, and when he went to college, he played in the chapels throughout the campus. Whether it was Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, he went where he was needed.
Even when Uncle Sam called his name, he never quit playing. He was sent to basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky and then later in Germany, he never gave up playing the piano or organ in the chapels for all the servicemen.
Upon his return to his hometown, he immediately returned to playing full time at the church.
“No matter which priest we had at Holy Rosary,” he said, “they were all encouraging to the choir’s music.
When the 7th grader began playing those many years ago, all choir members participated in the mass from the choir loft which is located on the second floor in the rear of Holy Rosary.
According to Meaux, they remained there for many years. But when Father Dan Schexnayder became pastor, he wanted the choir to come downstairs and set up on the right side of the altar.
“That was the time when the priest wanted everyone to participate in the Mass,” said Lenwood. “His idea was that if people could see us, they would participate in the Mass.”
They stayed there till Father William Blanda became the new pastor. He wanted the choir back in the choir loft. And there they remain to this day.
“As much as music is my life,” said Meaux, “I began reading the signs that I needed to retire...the two most significant were my health and my age.”
Meaux said climbing up the stairs to the loft became a big problem, especially after he had heart surgery.
“But it was also a blessing in disguise. Climbing those stairs was the only exercise I would get,” laughs Lenwood.
Meaux said he has no regrets on his decision to retire.
“I’ve played many, many years, for different occasions. And it was very fulfilling in many ways. But, I did my share. It was time to give it up. I will definitely continue to attend Mass, but I will be part of the congregation, just not part of the choir.”

Four Vermilion Catholic High School students have earned the Seal of Biliteracy for proficiency in English and French.
The Seal of Biliteracy is an award given by a state department of education in recognition of students who have studied and attained proficiency in English and one or more other world languages by high school graduation. Louisiana is one of thirty states that awards the Seal of Biliteracy, which was approved by the Louisiana State Legislature in 2014.
The recognition of attaining biliteracy becomes part of the high school transcript and diploma for these students. The Seal serves to certify attainment of biliteracy for students, employers, and universities. It is a statement of accomplishment that helps to signal evidence of a student’s readiness for career and college, and for engagement as a global citizen.
The Louisiana Seal of Biliteracy is awarded to high school seniors who have fulfilled all required English Language Arts coursework and scored a 19 or above on the Reading and English parts of the ACT. The student must also satisfy at least one of the following criteria: scored a 3+ on a World Language AP exam, scored a 4+ on a World Language IB exam, passed four years of a World Language high school levels I – IV, achieved 7+ Carnegie units in an Immersion setting, or received the B2 DELF or DELE.
The four VC students who are receiving the Seal of Biliteracy for English and French are Alexan Broussard, Victoria Doan, Taylor Schaefer, and Lily Veazey. These students will have the Seal of Biliteracy affixed to their high school diplomas and official transcripts. They will also wear the Seal of Biliteracy honor cord at graduation.

LAFAYETTE — A 1:00 PM Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, June 16, 2018 at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church in Coteau, Louisiana, for Henry “Lynn” Breaux, 71, who passed away June 7, 2018 at 4:15 PM at Vermilion Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center in Kaplan, Louisiana.
Interment will be in Our Lady of Prompt Succor Cemetery.
Reverend Brian Harrington, Pastor of Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church, will serve as Celebrant for the Mass and conduct the funeral services. Valerie Andrus, Organist & Soloist, will perform for the Mass. Serving as Lectors will be Dr. James Godchaux and Yvonne Cappel Vickery. Giftbearers will be Braxton Breaux, Amelia Breaux and Meredith Breaux.
Survivors include the mother of his children, Alice “Sue” Breaux; three sons, Berton Lynn Breaux, Brandon Ebner Breaux (Michelle) and Bryce Chastant Breaux and three grandchildren, Braxton, Amelia and Meredith Breaux.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Olga Chastant Breaux.
A native of Lozes, LA Iberia Parish and resident of Lafayette, for over 50 years, “Lynn” as he was known by family and friends, was a loving son, father, grandfather and friend. Lynn graduated from Catholic High School of New Iberia and University of Southwest Louisiana. He was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha, Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church and a Member of the Knights of Columbus, 4th Degree Knight. Lynn was also a member of the Lafayette Board of Realtors, Congrés Modial Acadien and Louisiana Nursing Home Association. He also bestowed the honor of Ambassador of France for the Sons of the American Revolution. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
Pallbearers will be Berton Breaux, Brandon Breaux, Bryce Breaux, Braxton Breaux, Kermit Boullion and Dr. James Godchaux.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Dr. Harold Chastant and Dr. Bradley Chastant.
The family requests that visitation be observed in Martin & Castille’s SOUTHSIDE location on Saturday, June 16 from 10:00 AM to time of service.
Memorial contributions can be made in Henry “Lynn” Breaux’s name to CODOFIL (Council of Development of French in Louisiana), 735 Jefferson Street, Lafayette, Louisiana, 70501.
View the obituary and guestbook online at www.mourning.com
Martin & Castille-SOUTHSIDE-600 E. Farrel Rd., Lafayette, LA 70508, 337-984-2811.