About one mile (1.6 km) after the large interchange at its southern terminus, the southbound lanes have a rest area as well as a visitor center for travelers.

Immediately following this, I-59/US 11 crosses the west branch of the Pearl River twice in succession before meandering through the marshes of the Honey Island Swamp and reaching another interchange for the former routing of US 11.

The rights of way would be from the southwest edge of the Honey Island Swamp to an unknown location at Military Road, a distance of 3 miles (4.8 km).

The proposed routing was planned to enter Louisiana just south of Picayune, follow the path of the Honey Island Swamp, and bypass Slidell to the east, while coming to Lake Pontchartrain.

Highway Director Ray Burgess announced that the largest project was on I-59, with construction still going on at the West Pearl River bridge and approaches along I-59 within the parish.

[14][15] A 3.5-mile (5.6 km) stretch of the Interstate was opened on July 1, 1963, just south of the Mississippi state line, at 10:00 am, with a dedication ceremony being held.

In addition, it also extended the length of the existing 5.5 miles (8.9 km) located at the Pearl River bridge, and adding an interchange for US 11 in order to allow travelers to continue south for New Orleans.

The opening of the bridges also filled up the final gap in I-59, allowing travelers to make a continuous journey from Slidell to New Orleans.