Until 2011, LA 10 followed the current business route through New Roads. It then crossed the present alignment north of town and followed what is now LA 420 and LA 981 to the former ferry landing opposite St. Francisville. After crossing the river by ferry, LA 10 continued on Ferdinand Street through St. Francisville to the present junction of US 61 and LA 10. The John James Audubon Bridge across the Mississippi River was constructed between May 2006 and February 2012 at a location downriver from the toll ferry service. In May 2011, the bridge was opened to traffic early when high water during the 2011 Mississippi River floods caused ferry operations to be suspended. The New Roads–St. Francisville Ferry was permanently discontinued with the opening of the bridge.