FHWA NBI 2024 Inspection record Public-domain dataset

LA0343

Carrying LA0343 over INDIAN BAYOU

0.2 MI NORTH OF LA 342, Lafayette, Louisiana

Data updated May 2026

FHWA NBI record, refreshed with each annual release.

Poor
12 t Inventory load rating

Bridge Snapshot: LA0343

The LA0343 bridge in Lafayette, Louisiana carries LA0343 over INDIAN BAYOU. It was built in 1957, making it 69 years old today. The structure is built primarily of wood or timber and spans 5 sections, stretching 29.3 meters (96 feet) end to end. Daily traffic averages 3,757 vehicles, placing it in the moderately-trafficked tier of Louisiana bridges. It is owned and maintained by State Highway Agency.

The latest FHWA inspection records show a deck rating of 5/9, superstructure at 6/9, substructure at 4/9. The weakest component sits in poor condition. At least one major component here scores 4 or below, which produces a Poor condition classification under FHWA's current reporting rules. Its NBI inventory load rating is 11.8 metric tons.

Sourced from the FHWA National Bridge Inventory. See our methodology for refresh cadence and NBI release vintage.

How LA0343 compares

▼ 20.5
Load rating vs Louisiana average (32.3 t)
Bottom 3%
Lower load rating than 97% of Louisiana bridges
323
Bridges in Lafayette · 25 in Poor condition
LA0343 11.8 t
Louisiana average 32.3 t

Live comparison across Louisiana.

Historical Sufficiency Rating

PlainBridge-computed
6.0 / 100 - historical under-20 band
Structural adequacy /55
0.0
Serviceability /30
6.0
Essentiality /15
0.0
Special reductions
0

FHWA discontinued this calculated item; it does not determine current condition, funding eligibility, posting, or closure. How the historical reference is calculated.

Condition Ratings

Deck
5/9
Fair (5–6)
Superstructure
6/9
Fair (5–6)
Substructure
4/9
Poor (1–4)
Inventory Load Rating
11.8 t
NBI inventory level (metric tons)
Overall Condition
Poor

Full 0–9 scale + sufficiency-rating breakdown: how condition ratings work.

Structural Details

Year Built
1957
Material
Wood or Timber
Number of Spans
5
Structure Length
29.3 m (96 ft)
Deck Width
7.6 m (25 ft)
Owner
State Highway Agency
Avg Daily Traffic
3,757 vehicles/day
Structure Number
032803930302211

Condition Analysis

  • The deck (driving surface) rates fair at 5/9, minor deterioration that routine maintenance should address.
  • The superstructure (beams and supports above the deck) rates fair at 6/9, minor deterioration that routine maintenance should address.
  • The substructure (piers and abutments) rates poor at 4/9, advanced deterioration that should be prioritized for repair.

How to read this record

LA0343 is in the federal Poor condition category. That is a component-based result, not a closure order.

  • NBI condition ratings reflect the latest record in this annual dataset, not a live status. Current routine inspection intervals are risk-based.
  • Understand what Poor condition does and does not mean before drawing conclusions. Poor condition explained
  • Compare LA0343 against other structures in Lafayette and across Louisiana. Louisiana bridges
  • Noticed visible damage or a safety concern? Report it to the agency that owns the bridge, or call 911 in an emergency. How to report a bridge

Condition codes come straight from the FHWA National Bridge Inventory and are not a real-time safety judgment. Only the owning agency, a state DOT, county, or other owner, can post, restrict, or close a bridge.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do the condition ratings mean for LA0343?

LA0343 in Lafayette, Louisiana has a deck rating of 5/9, superstructure rating of 6/9, and substructure rating of 4/9 on the FHWA's 0–9 scale.

How often is LA0343 inspected?

LA0343's responsible agency sets its routine interval under FHWA's risk-based inspection rules; this page does not expose the scheduled interval. It carries about 3,757 vehicles per day.

What does “structurally deficient” mean in older bridge reports?

FHWA retired that reported status beginning with the 2018 archive. LA0343 is currently shown as Poor condition from its component ratings; that category is not a live closure or safety decision.

What is the inventory load rating for LA0343?

LA0343 has an NBI inventory load rating of 11.8 metric tons.

Who is responsible for maintaining LA0343?

LA0343 is owned and maintained by State Highway Agency.

How old is LA0343 and does age affect safety?

LA0343 was built in 1957, making it 69 years old.

Disclaimer: Bridge condition data is from the FHWA NBI and reflects the last reported inspection. A Poor condition rating is not a live declaration that a bridge is closed or unsafe for travel. For current closure, posting, or safety information, contact the responsible transportation agency.

Data sourced from the Federal Highway Administration National Bridge Inventory. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainBridges

Every figure on PlainBridge is rendered directly from federal source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on federal source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.