LA 3081 serves the town of Pearl River in St. Tammany Parish; it's the former alignment of US 11. From its inception in the 1960's until around 1972, LA 3081 used to run from I-59's exit 5B to its current southern terminus in Pearl River via a now demolished bridge over the West Pearl River. When I-59 exit 5A was opened around 1972, the bridge was closed and demolished, and LA 3081 was truncated to the dead end where the old bridge would've continued. The northern terminus changed again in 2007 after LA 41 Spur was decommissioned; LA 3081's northern end was moved back to I-59, this time at exit 5A.
LA 3081 begins at an intersection with US 11 and LA 41 in southern Pearl River. It changes directions at its intersection with LA 3081 Spur.
Heading north on LA 3081, we see the first shield and some sights around Pearl River. Also of note: Pearl River is still sprinkled with signs identifying LA 41 Spur; I wasn't able to take a picture of it but when immediately turning on LA 3081, there's a sign that says "HWY 41 SPUR NO TRUCK ROUTE" - 16 years after it was decommissioned!
Approaching LA 3081's right turn, we see the old way it used to take: straight ahead on what is now LA 3081 Spur. It leads to a dead end that would've lead to the old Pearl River bridge. After LA 41 Spur was decommissioned, the routes were adjusted and LA 3081's terminus was moved to I-59.
Turning right, we cross over train tracks owned by Norfolk Southern Railway. As we cross the tracks, we get another LA 3081 shield with a JCT I-59 sign in the same assembly. Take note here as well: LA 3081 changes direction from north to east.
I-59 intersects with LA 3081 at an extremely long junction - the drive from the I-59 South junction to the I-59 North junction is nearly a mile long, despite being on the same road. The road crosses underneath the interstate almost directly at the West Pearl River, which makes this long bit of road prone to flooding. Both junctions along LA 3081 with I-59 are extended RIRO (right-in-right-out) interchanges. They were built as a "replacement" for the now-orphaned Honey Island Swamp exit on I-59, which used to carry US 11 before the realignment onto I-59.
LA 3081 ends abruptly at the I-59 northbound ramp. Continuing straight ahead takes you to a gas station that was, at the time these pictures were taken, being renovated.
LA 3081 westbound starts at the end of the ramp from I-59 northbound. The first sign we see indicates that you can reach I-59 South ahead. This sign used to say "Spur West LA 47" before 2007.
Once past the I-59 underpass, we see another JCT I-59 sign approaching the southbound direction.
After we pass I-59, we quickly approach LA 3081 Spur and LA 3081's left turn. At this intersection, LA 3081 turns to the southbound direction.
After crossing over the Norfolk Southern Railway tracks, we turn left onto the now southbound LA 3081.
LA 3081 passes through the eastern edge of Pearl River along the former alignment of US 11. It eventually ends at a junction with US 11 and LA 41. Continuing straight onto US 11 southbound takes you to Slidell, while turning left onto US 11 north leads to I-59. LA 41 to the right leads to Hickory, Talisheek, and Bush.
Published March 13, 2024
Updated March 18, 2024
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