FHWA NBI 2024 Inspection record Public-domain dataset

LA0038

Carrying LA0038 over PETERS CREEK

1.0 M E OF LA 441, St. Helena, Louisiana

Data updated May 2026

FHWA NBI record, refreshed with each annual release.

Poor
13 t Inventory load rating

Bridge Snapshot: LA0038

The LA0038 bridge in St. Helena, Louisiana carries LA0038 over PETERS CREEK. It was built in 1952, making it 74 years old today. The structure is built primarily of wood or timber and spans 5 sections, stretching 29.6 meters (97 feet) end to end. Daily traffic averages 1,535 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 4/9, substructure at 5/9. The weakest component sits in poor condition. A component scored 4 or below, placing this bridge in the federal Poor condition category rather than declaring it unsafe or closed. Its NBI inventory load rating is 12.5 metric tons.

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

How LA0038 compares

▼ 19.8
Load rating vs Louisiana average (32.3 t)
Bottom 4%
Lower load rating than 96% of Louisiana bridges
139
Bridges in St. Helena · 12 in Poor condition
LA0038 12.5 t
Louisiana average 32.3 t

Live comparison across Louisiana.

Historical Sufficiency Rating

PlainBridge-computed
24.1 / 100 - historical 20–49.9 band
Structural adequacy /55
1.1
Serviceability /30
8.0
Essentiality /15
15.0
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 How the historical reference is calculated.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
4/9
Poor (1–4)
Substructure
5/9
Fair (5–6)
Inventory Load Rating
12.5 t
NBI inventory level (metric tons)
Overall Condition
Poor

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

Structural Details

Year Built
1952
Material
Wood or Timber
Number of Spans
5
Structure Length
29.6 m (97 ft)
Deck Width
8.4 m (28 ft)
Owner
State Highway Agency
Avg Daily Traffic
1,535 vehicles/day
Structure Number
624602630202761

Condition Analysis

  • At 5/9, the deck (driving surface) shows fair condition, with minor wear flagged for upkeep.
  • At 4/9, the superstructure (beams and supports above the deck) is in poor shape, with advanced wear flagged for priority repair.
  • The substructure (piers and abutments) is in fair condition (5/9), with minor deterioration that may require routine maintenance.

How to read this record

LA0038 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 LA0038 against other structures in St. Helena 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 LA0038?

LA0038 in St. Helena, Louisiana has a deck rating of 5/9, superstructure rating of 4/9, and substructure rating of 5/9 on the FHWA's 0–9 scale.

How often is LA0038 inspected?

LA0038'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 1,535 vehicles per day.

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

FHWA retired that reported status beginning with the 2018 archive. LA0038 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 LA0038?

LA0038 has an NBI inventory load rating of 12.5 metric tons.

Who is responsible for maintaining LA0038?

LA0038 is owned and maintained by State Highway Agency.

How old is LA0038 and does age affect safety?

LA0038 was built in 1952, making it 74 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.