Total bridges
313
Public highway bridges in Natchitoches County
County profile · official public datasets
Natchitoches County, LA
313 public highway bridges tracked in the FHWA National Bridge Inventory: 46% rated Good, 38.7% Fair, 15.3% Poor.
- 313
- Public bridges
- 46%
- Good condition
- 15.3%
- Poor condition
The verdict
According to the Federal Highway Administration's 2024 National Bridge Inventory.
Natchitoches County posts a higher-than-median Poor-condition share among rated counties in the state across mid-size county bridge inventory.
- 48th
- of 64 on Poor share
- 15.3%
- Poor-condition share
- 313
- public highway bridges
- 1983
- avg year built
Poor is an FHWA condition category from the lowest applicable component rating (4 or below), not a live crossing-safety or closure decision. Rankings cover counties with at least five public highway bridges.
Natchitoches County Bridge Snapshot
According to the Federal Highway Administration's 2024 National Bridge Inventory, Natchitoches County ranks #48 of 64 Louisiana counties with at least 5 public highway bridges on Poor-condition share (lower share ranks better; currently 15.3%). Natchitoches County, Louisiana contains 313 public highway bridges. Roughly 46% are rated “Good,” 38.7% “Fair,” and 15.3% “Poor.” Poor means the lowest applicable deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert rating is 4 or below on the 0–9 NBI scale. It is a condition category, not a live safety or closure decision.
Responsible agencies inspect covered bridges on risk-based intervals under current NBIS rules and submit inventory data to FHWA annually. The list below shows every NBI-tracked bridge in the county. Use the “Sort by” controls to change the ordering, and click any row for its reported inspection date, traffic count, and condition fields.
Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory. See methodology for full definitions.
Good condition
46%
144 of 313 rated 7-9
Fair condition
38.7%
121 of 313 rated 5-6
Poor condition
15.3%
48 of 313 rated 4 or below
In-state Poor-share rank
#48 of 64
Among Louisiana counties with 5+ bridges, lower share ranks better
Condition distribution
Share of 313 NBI-tracked bridges by lowest applicable component rating.
Good 46% (144)
Fair 38.7% (121)
Poor 15.3% (48)
Natchitoches County's Poor-condition bridges carry 81,311 vehicle crossings a day
That is 5.7% of the county's reported daily bridge traffic on 15.3% of its bridges: Poor-condition structures carry less traffic than their share of the inventory. Each Poor bridge averages 1,694 crossings a day against 5,561 for a Good-condition one. A Poor rating is a condition category, not a closure or a live safety judgement; it means the lowest applicable component rating is 4 or below.
Computed over the 313 of 313 bridges in this county that report an average daily traffic count. Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2024 release.
30.4% of Natchitoches County's bridges have passed the 50-year mark
95 of the 313 bridges with a recorded construction year were built in 1974 or earlier. Age alone is not a defect: a well-maintained older bridge can rate Good, and 46% of this county's inventory does. Even so, this older cohort is the population from which future Poor ratings are drawn, which is why the age profile below matters alongside the condition split above.
Cutoff derives from the 2024 release year minus a 50-year design life. Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2024 release.
One structure carries 22.5% of the county's Poor-condition bridge traffic
I0049 over BAYOU DERBONNE, built 1986, carries 18,305 vehicles a day, the most of any Poor-rated structure here. The county's Poor-condition exposure is concentrated rather than evenly spread, so the 48-bridge count understates how much of the daily burden sits on a single crossing.
Share is of the 81,311 daily crossings on Poor-rated bridges that report a traffic count. Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2024 release.
When Natchitoches County's bridges were built
313 bridges with a recorded construction year, grouped by decade
- 1920s 2
1920–1929
2 bridges
- 1930s 5
1930–1939
5 bridges
- 1940s 5
1940–1949
5 bridges
- 1950s 31
1950–1959
31 bridges
- 1960s 25
1960–1969
25 bridges
- 1970s
1970–1979
54 bridges
- 1980s
1980–1989
82 bridges
- 1990s
1990–1999
45 bridges
- 2000s 30
2000–2009
30 bridges
- 2010s 24
2010–2019
24 bridges
- 2020s 10
2020–2029
10 bridges
What this shows Construction peaked in the 1980s, when 82 of the county's bridges still in the inventory were built, which is 26.2% of those with a recorded year. That cohort is now 35 to 44 years old in the 2024 inventory. Its average build year (1983) matches the Louisiana average (1982).
How Natchitoches County compares with Louisiana's closest counties by inventory size
The 5 Louisiana counties nearest Natchitoches County in number of bridges, with their condition splits. Its 15.3% Poor share is the 6th-lowest of these 6. Its average build year of 1983 against a peer-group mean of 1983 is in line with the group.
Showing the 5 closest of 63 Louisiana counties eligible for comparison.
| County | Bridges | Good | Fair | Poor | Avg. built |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vernon County | 341 | 57.8% | 34.6% | 7.6% | 1989 |
| Ouachita County | 337 | 27.9% | 59.3% | 12.8% | 1981 |
| Lafayette County | 322 | 44.7% | 47.5% | 7.8% | 1986 |
| St. Landry County | 317 | 43.2% | 49.2% | 7.6% | 1980 |
| Natchitoches County (this page) | 313 | 46% | 38.7% | 15.3% | 1983 |
| Washington County | 285 | 44.2% | 44.2% | 11.6% | 1979 |
Each share is of that county's own total tracked bridges; peers are the counties with 5 or more bridges whose inventory size is closest to Natchitoches County's. Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2024 release.
Nationwide counties with similar inventory size or average build year
Two NBI-derived peer sets for Natchitoches County, both outside Louisiana so the neighborhoods are not the same-state size table above.
Similar inventory size
Nearest county inventories outside LA (313 bridges here).
- Linn County, MO · 313 bridges
- Cedar County, NE · 313 bridges
- Jackson County, AL · 314 bridges
- Cloud County, KS · 314 bridges
Similar average build year
Nearest mean year-built outside LA (1983 here).
- Dallas County, TX · avg 1983 · 3,230 bridges
- Bexar County, TX · avg 1983 · 2,342 bridges
- Sedgwick County, KS · avg 1983 · 1,333 bridges
- Will County, IL · avg 1983 · 649 bridges
Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2024 release. Peers floor at 10 bridges so stub inventories cannot own the match.
Fair-condition bridges (121)
SPEARS VILLAGE RD
FairOver: DRAINAGE STAGESTAND CR
PEASON RIDGE TRAIN AREA, Natchitoches, LA
Built 2005 ADT: 40
Vowells Mill Rd
FairOver: HORSEPEN CREEK
1.8 MILES WEST OF LA 117, Natchitoches, LA
Built 1990 Load: 10.0 t ADT: 42
FDR 605
FairOver: DRY CHOCTAW CR. TRIB.
1.5 MI. N/N.E. OF CHESTNT, Natchitoches, LA
Built 1970 Load: 14.9 t ADT: 30
Rice Rd
FairOver: LITTLE FORDOCHE CREEK
1.45 M. SW OF GOLDONNA RO, Natchitoches, LA
Built 1970 Load: 14.9 t ADT: 102
NO DATA ENTERED
FairOver: BAYOU LIVROGNE
NATIONAL FOREST ROAD, Natchitoches, LA
Built 1975 Load: 17.2 t ADT: 30
FDR 360
FairOver: LIVROGNE BRANCH
6.6 M. WSW. OF GORUM, Natchitoches, LA
Built 1978 Load: 17.5 t ADT: 30
FDR 304
FairOver: GIN BRANCH
NATIONAL FOREST ROAD, Natchitoches, LA
Built 1967 Load: 17.8 t ADT: 30
FDR 360
FairOver: BAYOU LIVROGNE
6.5 M. WSW.OF GORUM, Natchitoches, LA
Built 1978 Load: 17.8 t ADT: 30
FDR 360
FairOver: STEEP BRANCH
5.8 M. WNM. OF GORUM, Natchitoches, LA
Built 1975 Load: 17.8 t ADT: 30
FDR 585
FairOver: RAGAN CREEK
2 MI. N. OF GOLDONNA, Natchitoches, LA
Built 1970 Load: 18.1 t ADT: 30
Dick Anderson Rd
FairOver: BRUSHY BAYOU
1.0 MILE SOUTH OF LA 174, Natchitoches, LA
Built 1975 Load: 18.1 t ADT: 80
FH 59
FairOver: STEEP HILL CREEK
NO DATA ENTERED, Natchitoches, LA
Built 1967 Load: 18.5 t ADT: 80
FDR 524
FairOver: MALAUDOS CREEK
NATIONAL FOREST ROAD, Natchitoches, LA
Built 1968 Load: 19.1 t ADT: 10
FDR 570
FairOver: LUSTER BRANCH
NATIONAL FOREST ROAD, Natchitoches, LA
Built 1970 Load: 19.1 t ADT: 30
LA0156
FairOver: MOLINA CREEK
10.18 MI. E OF INT LA9, Natchitoches, LA
Built 1956 Load: 19.1 t ADT: 525
LA0117
FairOver: KISATCHIE CREEK
.6 MI N OF JCT LA 118, Natchitoches, LA
Built 1955 Load: 19.1 t ADT: 1,513
LA0117
FairOver: RELIEF SLOUGH
.92 MI N OF JCT LA 118, Natchitoches, LA
Built 1955 Load: 19.1 t ADT: 1,513
LA0117
FairOver: MIDDLE CREEK
6.71 MI N OF JCT 118, Natchitoches, LA
Built 1955 Load: 19.1 t ADT: 1,513
LA0117
FairOver: MIDDLE CREEK
7.14 MI N OF JCT 118, Natchitoches, LA
Built 1955 Load: 19.1 t ADT: 1,513
LA0117
FairOver: BAYOU SANTA BARB
2.06 MI. SOUTH OF LA 478, Natchitoches, LA
Built 1955 Load: 19.1 t ADT: 1,513
LA0117
FairOver: BAYOU SANTA BARB
1.94 MI. SOUTH OF LA 478, Natchitoches, LA
Built 1955 Load: 19.1 t ADT: 1,513
LA0117
FairOver: BAYOU SANTA BARB
1.89 MI. SOUTH OF LA 478, Natchitoches, LA
Built 1955 Load: 19.1 t ADT: 1,513
LA0117
FairOver: MCKIMS CREEK
0.74 MI. NORTH OF LA 478, Natchitoches, LA
Built 1955 Load: 19.1 t ADT: 1,513
LA0117
FairOver: HORSE PEN CREEK
3.03 MI. NORTH OF LA 478, Natchitoches, LA
Built 1955 Load: 19.1 t ADT: 1,513
LA0117
FairOver: FLAT SLOUGH
0.51 MI. SOUTH OF LA 120, Natchitoches, LA
Built 1955 Load: 19.1 t ADT: 1,513
LA0117
FairOver: PROVENCAL BAYOU
0.39 MI. SOUTH OF LA 120, Natchitoches, LA
Built 1955 Load: 19.1 t ADT: 1,513
LA0494
FairOver: BAYOU POISSON
3.04 MI. N OF INT LA119, Natchitoches, LA
Built 1950 Load: 19.1 t ADT: 18,361
FH 59
FairOver: CLEAR BRANCH
NO DATA ENTERED, Natchitoches, LA
Built 1965 Load: 19.4 t ADT: 80
FDR 570
FairOver: SALINE BAYOU TRIB.
STRANGE ROAD, Natchitoches, LA
Built 1968 Load: 20.1 t ADT: 30
FDR 570
FairOver: CHOCTAW CREEK
STRANGE ROAD RT. 570, Natchitoches, LA
Built 1970 Load: 20.1 t ADT: 30
FDR570
FairOver: CHOCTAW CREEK
NATIONAL FOREST ROAD, Natchitoches, LA
Built 1970 Load: 20.1 t ADT: 30
LA0120
FairOver: WINN CREEK
6.8 MI. E OF INT LA487, Natchitoches, LA
Built 1950 Load: 20.9 t ADT: 1,715
LA0117
FairOver: BAYOU SANTA BARB
1.79 MI. SOUTH OF LA 478, Natchitoches, LA
Built 1955 Load: 21.1 t ADT: 1,513
LA0494
FairOver: CREEK
1.52 MI. E OF INT LA1, Natchitoches, LA
Built 1963 Load: 22.7 t ADT: 726
LA0117
FairOver: SHEARD BRANCH
3.98 MI N OF JCT LA 118, Natchitoches, LA
Built 1955 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 1,513
FDR 342
FairOver: KISATCHIE BAYOU TRIB.
NATCHITOCHES PARISH, Natchitoches, LA
Built 1964 Load: 23.7 t ADT: 30
LA0006
FairOver: YOUNGS BAYOU
0.11 MI. WEST OF LA 1, Natchitoches, LA
Built 1974 Load: 23.7 t ADT: 15,184
LA0006
FairOver: YOUNGS BAYOU
0.11 MI. WEST OF LA 1, Natchitoches, LA
Built 1974 Load: 23.7 t ADT: 14,431
LA0001-X
FairOver: CANE RIVER
0.19 MI. NORTH OF LA 1223, Natchitoches, LA
Built 1936 Load: 24.5 t ADT: 11,003
LA0493
FairOver: CANE RIVER
1.95 MI. E OF INT LA1, Natchitoches, LA
Built 1949 Load: 25.3 t ADT: 294
LA0117
FairOver: MIDDLE CREEK
6.99 MI N OF JCT 118, Natchitoches, LA
Built 1955 Load: 25.4 t ADT: 1,513
Emmanuel Rd
FairOver: BAYOU BARBUE
4.3 MILES WEST OF LA 490, Natchitoches, LA
Built 1984 Load: 25.6 t ADT: 114
LA0119
FairOver: CANE RIVER
.13 MI. E OF INT LA1, Natchitoches, LA
Built 1970 Load: 26.3 t ADT: 189
LA0485
FairOver: BAYOU PIERRE
5.30 MI E OF JCT 1-49, Natchitoches, LA
Built 1978 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 462
LA0153
FairOver: ANTOINE CREEK
9.55 MI. N OF INT LA9, Natchitoches, LA
Built 1977 Load: 27.9 t ADT: 609
LA0153
FairOver: CABIN CREEK
7.66 MI. N OF INT LA9, Natchitoches, LA
Built 1977 Load: 28.2 t ADT: 609
FDR 337
FairOver: KISATCHIE BAYOU
NATIONAL FOREST ROAD, Natchitoches, LA
Built 1970 Load: 28.8 t ADT: 30
LA0153
FairOver: CAESAR CREEK
.99 MI. N OF INT LA9, Natchitoches, LA
Built 1977 Load: 29.5 t ADT: 609
LA0153
FairOver: DEMERY CREEK
5.50 MI. N OF INT LA9, Natchitoches, LA
Built 1977 Load: 29.5 t ADT: 609
LA0153
FairOver: ANTOINE CREEK
9.82 MI. N OF INT LA9, Natchitoches, LA
Built 1977 Load: 29.5 t ADT: 609
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Related
Data sourced from official public datasets. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainBridges
Every figure on PlainBridges 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. NBI condition categories reflect the latest reported inventory record, not a live safety, closure, or travel decision.