Total bridges
523
Public highway bridges in Rapides County
County profile · official public datasets
Rapides County, LA
523 public highway bridges tracked in the FHWA National Bridge Inventory: 53.3% rated Good, 39.6% Fair, 7.1% Poor.
- 523
- Public bridges
- 53.3%
- Good condition
- 7.1%
- Poor condition
The verdict
According to the Federal Highway Administration's 2024 National Bridge Inventory.
Rapides County pairs a top-quartile lowest Poor-condition share among rated counties in the state with a newer average build year than the state inventory.
- Top 23%
- lowest Poor share in state
- 7.1%
- Poor-condition share
- 523
- public highway bridges
- 1987
- 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.
Rapides County Bridge Snapshot
According to the Federal Highway Administration's 2024 National Bridge Inventory, Rapides County ranks #15 of 64 Louisiana counties with at least 5 public highway bridges on Poor-condition share (lower share ranks better; currently 7.1%). Rapides County, Louisiana contains 523 public highway bridges. Roughly 53.3% are rated “Good,” 39.6% “Fair,” and 7.1% “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
53.3%
279 of 523 rated 7-9
Fair condition
39.6%
207 of 523 rated 5-6
Poor condition
7.1%
37 of 523 rated 4 or below
In-state Poor-share rank
#15 of 64
Among Louisiana counties with 5+ bridges, lower share ranks better
Condition distribution
Share of 523 NBI-tracked bridges by lowest applicable component rating.
Good 53.3% (279)
Fair 39.6% (207)
Poor 7.1% (37)
Rapides County's Poor-condition bridges carry 87,260 vehicle crossings a day
That is 2.1% of the county's reported daily bridge traffic on 7.1% of its bridges: Poor-condition structures carry less traffic than their share of the inventory. Each Poor bridge averages 2,358 crossings a day against 9,427 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 523 of 523 bridges in this county that report an average daily traffic count. Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2024 release.
22% of Rapides County's bridges have passed the 50-year mark
115 of the 523 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 53.3% 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 27.6% of the county's Poor-condition bridge traffic
I0049 over BAYOU CLEAR DIV. CANAL, built 1990, carries 24,080 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 37-bridge count understates how much of the daily burden sits on a single crossing.
Share is of the 87,260 daily crossings on Poor-rated bridges that report a traffic count. Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2024 release.
When Rapides County's bridges were built
523 bridges with a recorded construction year, grouped by decade
- 1920s 1
1920–1929
1 bridges
- 1930s 9
1930–1939
9 bridges
- 1940s 19
1940–1949
19 bridges
- 1950s 15
1950–1959
15 bridges
- 1960s 32
1960–1969
32 bridges
- 1970s 53
1970–1979
53 bridges
- 1980s
1980–1989
102 bridges
- 1990s
1990–1999
191 bridges
- 2000s 58
2000–2009
58 bridges
- 2010s 32
2010–2019
32 bridges
- 2020s 11
2020–2029
11 bridges
What this shows Construction peaked in the 1990s, when 191 of the county's bridges still in the inventory were built, which is 36.5% of those with a recorded year. That cohort is now 25 to 34 years old in the 2024 inventory. Its average build year is 1987, 5 years newer than the Louisiana average of 1982.
How Rapides County compares with Louisiana's closest counties by inventory size
The 5 Louisiana counties nearest Rapides County in number of bridges, with their condition splits. Its 7.1% Poor share is the 2nd-lowest of these 6. Its average build year of 1987 against a peer-group mean of 1980 is 7 years newer.
Showing the 5 closest of 63 Louisiana counties eligible for comparison.
| County | Bridges | Good | Fair | Poor | Avg. built |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Baton Rouge County | 548 | 41.8% | 38.5% | 19.7% | 1980 |
| Rapides County (this page) | 523 | 53.3% | 39.6% | 7.1% | 1987 |
| Tangipahoa County | 477 | 40.7% | 45.9% | 13.4% | 1977 |
| Calcasieu County | 463 | 19% | 73% | 8% | 1983 |
| Orleans County | 382 | 43.7% | 46.3% | 9.9% | 1976 |
| Jefferson County | 379 | 58.6% | 36.9% | 4.5% | 1984 |
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 Rapides 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 Rapides County, both outside Louisiana so the neighborhoods are not the same-state size table above.
Similar inventory size
Nearest county inventories outside LA (523 bridges here).
- Madison County, IL · 523 bridges
- Kent County, MI · 523 bridges
- Williamson County, TN · 520 bridges
- New Castle County, DE · 527 bridges
Similar average build year
Nearest mean year-built outside LA (1987 here).
- St. Louis County, MO · avg 1987 · 912 bridges
- Ellis County, TX · avg 1987 · 691 bridges
- St. Louis County, MN · avg 1987 · 663 bridges
- Palm Beach County, FL · avg 1987 · 610 bridges
Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2024 release. Peers floor at 10 bridges so stub inventories cannot own the match.
Fair-condition bridges (207)
LA0028
FairOver: CLEAR RUN CREEK
0.84 MI. EAST OF US 167, Rapides, LA
Built 1971 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 14,124
LA0028
FairOver: CREEK
0.49 MI. EAST OF LA 1207, Rapides, LA
Built 1931 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 5,615
LA0028
FairOver: CREEK
0.79 MI. EAST OF LA 1207, Rapides, LA
Built 1931 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 5,615
LA0028
FairOver: WATERS CREEK
2.19 MI. EAST OF LA 1207, Rapides, LA
Built 1931 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 5,615
LA0112
FairOver: CREEK
2.52 MI. SOUTH OF LA 462, Rapides, LA
Built 1960 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 1,197
LA0488
FairOver: DITCH
.64 MI. E OF LA1199, Rapides, LA
Built 1958 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 2,343
LA0028
FairOver: KINCAID LAKE
2.4 M. E OF E JCT. LA 121, Rapides, LA
Built 1944 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 9,482
I0049
FairOver: CHERRY CREEK
5.1 MI. N OF LA8, Rapides, LA
Built 1984 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 11,969
Blue Lake Rd
FairOver: TANNER CREEK
4.4 MILES SE OF LA 497, Rapides, LA
Built 1997 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 180
Blue Lake Rd
FairOver: HURRICANE CREEK
0.8 MILES EAST OF LA 497, Rapides, LA
Built 2001 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 700
Bert Paul Rd
FairOver: SLASH BAYOU
0.3 MI. WEST OF LA 115, Rapides, LA
Built 1985 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 160
I0049
FairOver: HWYS STRTS RR BAYOU
0.23 MI. NORTH OF US 167B, Rapides, LA
Built 1995 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 7,400
I0049
FairOver: BAYOU JEAN DE JEAN
1.8 M NORTH OF LA 1200, Rapides, LA
Built 1989 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 25,477
US0071
FairOver: LA 1 FRONTAGE RD. UP R
0.64 MI. NE OF LA 498, Rapides, LA
Built 1994 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 27,628
Hickory Hill Rd
FairOver: BAYOU RIGOLETTE TRIB.
1.4 MI. WEST OF LA 3225, Rapides, LA
Built 2000 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 1,300
Rapides Station Rd
FairOver: BIG BAYOU
1.0 M SOUTH OF LA 1, Rapides, LA
Built 1989 Load: 33.0 t ADT: 610
US0071
FairOver: BOEUF BAYOU
0.08 MI. NORTH OF JCT 117, Rapides, LA
Built 1931 Load: 33.6 t ADT: 3,281
US0165
FairOver: US 71 ROCKY BAYOU
1.87 MI SOUTH JCT. US 167, Rapides, LA
Built 1999 Load: 33.6 t ADT: 20,902
I0049
FairOver: LA 121
1.65 MI. NORTH OF LA 1200, Rapides, LA
Built 1989 Load: 33.6 t ADT: 11,969
MELDER RD
FairOver: GERMANY CREEK
4.5 MI. SOUTH OF LA 112, Rapides, LA
Built 1992 Load: 34.3 t ADT: 380
Melder Rd
FairOver: CAMPGROUND CREEK
3.5 MI. SOUTH OF LA 112, Rapides, LA
Built 1992 Load: 34.3 t ADT: 380
Melder Rd
FairOver: CAMPGROUND CREEK
3.93 MI SOUTH OF LA 112, Rapides, LA
Built 1986 Load: 34.3 t ADT: 230
LA0001
FairOver: CHERRY CREEK
2.82 MI. N OF N INT LA8, Rapides, LA
Built 1963 Load: 34.5 t ADT: 748
I0049
FairOver: CITY STREETS UP RR
0.89 MI. SOUTH OF US 71, Rapides, LA
Built 1992 Load: 34.5 t ADT: 15,642
Third St
FairOver: BAYOU RAPIDES
0.8 MI. SOUTH OF US 71, Rapides, LA
Built 1970 Load: 35.0 t ADT: 3,800
US0167
FairOver: US 167 MESSER ST KCS R
1.5 M. N. OF RED RIVER, Rapides, LA
Built 1966 Load: 35.4 t ADT: 35,040
US0167
FairOver: US 167 MESSER ST KCS R
1.5 MI. N. OF RED RIVER, Rapides, LA
Built 1966 Load: 35.4 t ADT: 27,628
LA0028
FairOver: HEMPHILL CREEK
8.82 MI. EAST OF LA 465, Rapides, LA
Built 1973 Load: 36.3 t ADT: 7,065
LA0028
FairOver: DIVERSION CANAL
2.18 MI. EAST OF LA 3054, Rapides, LA
Built 1949 Load: 36.3 t ADT: 28,087
I0049
FairOver: I-49 US 167 RAMPS CIT
I-49/US 167 INTG., Rapides, LA
Built 1994 Load: 36.3 t ADT: 33,869
I0049
FairOver: US 167 RAMPS CITY STR.
I-49 / US 167 INTG., Rapides, LA
Built 1995 Load: 36.3 t ADT: 15,642
I0049
FairOver: I49 US167 RAMPS STR.
I-49 / US 167 INTG., Rapides, LA
Built 1994 Load: 36.3 t ADT: 15,642
I0049
FairOver: HWYS STRTS RR BAYOU
0.23 MI. NORTH OF US 167B, Rapides, LA
Built 1994 Load: 36.3 t ADT: 42,770
I0049
FairOver: RAMP RR CITY STS BAYO
NORTH I-49 / US 71 INTG., Rapides, LA
Built 1995 Load: 36.3 t ADT: 15,642
US0167
FairOver: UP & LAS RR
0.21 M. S. OF US 71 INTG., Rapides, LA
Built 1970 Load: 37.2 t ADT: 29,768
US0167
FairOver: UP & LAS RR
0.21 M. S. OF US 71 INTG., Rapides, LA
Built 1970 Load: 37.2 t ADT: 27,628
LA1207
FairOver: SLASH BRANCH
1.2 MI. WEST OF LA 115, Rapides, LA
Built 1980 Load: 37.2 t ADT: 5,494
LA0028
FairOver: DIVERSION CANAL
2.18 MI. EAST OF LA 3054, Rapides, LA
Built 1981 Load: 37.2 t ADT: 2,110
US0071
FairOver: LA 1208-3
US 71/LA 1208-3 INTG., Rapides, LA
Built 1972 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 40,347
LA0457
FairOver: BAYOU LATANIER
2.79 MI. SOUTH OF LA 3170, Rapides, LA
Built 1981 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 806
LA0112
FairOver: COW BAYOU
1.4 MI. SOUTH OF LA 462, Rapides, LA
Built 1982 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 1,197
LA0112
FairOver: CHERRY WINCHE CREEK
1.95 MI. NORTH OF LA 462, Rapides, LA
Built 1982 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 1,197
I0049
FairOver: PARKWOOD DR PHILLIP B.
NORTH I-49 / US 71 INTG., Rapides, LA
Built 1995 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 1,770
LA3144
FairOver: US 167
US 167 / LA 3144 INTG, Rapides, LA
Built 1969 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 10,569
LA0028
FairOver: BAYOU BOEUF
4.38 M E OF E JCT. LA 121, Rapides, LA
Built 2005 Load: 38.2 t ADT: 9,482
LA0028
FairOver: BAYOU BOEUF
4.38 MI EAST OF LA 121, Rapides, LA
Built 2003 Load: 38.2 t ADT: 8,811
West River Rd
FairOver: PRAIRIE BRANCH
.8 MILE SOUTH JCT LA 113, Rapides, LA
Built 2005 Load: 38.6 t ADT: 115
Butter Cemetery Rd
FairOver: HURRICANE CREEK
2.6 MILES SE OF LA 497, Rapides, LA
Built 2005 Load: 38.6 t ADT: 250
US0167
FairOver: LA 28
US 167 / LA 28 INTG., Rapides, LA
Built 1966 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 35,040
US0167
FairOver: LA 28
US 167 / LA INTG., Rapides, LA
Built 1966 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 27,628
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.