The bridges that lead to the west bank are not far at all from the convention center. There is not just one "bedroom community" accross the bridges but many parishes and lots of communities. They can also be accessed by ferries. I do not know where the ferries were. Also remember, these are not bridges over the pontchatrain. These are bridges over the Mississippi River and barring being hit with barges, ect, should have been in fine shape. I understand about closing them for wind. This was different. I spent those few days screaming at the tv set about why they did not let those people over the bridge where there was no flooding and little damage and where were the ferries that could have held several thousand people.
Thanks for some on-the-ground knowledge. Some folks are acting like there was nothing on the other side but miles of swamp.