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.
All bridges (523)
Cooper Rd
FairOver: BAYOU RAPIDES
1.52 MI. NORTH OF LA 28, Rapides, LA
Built 2001 Load: 23.7 t ADT: 200
US0167
FairOver: BAYOU BOEUF
0.9 MI. SOUTH OF US 71, Rapides, LA
Built 1985 Load: 24.0 t ADT: 2,324
FDR 287
FairOver: LONG BRANCH OVERFLO
NATIONAL FOREST ROAD, Rapides, LA
Built 1962 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 100
US0165
FairOver: SPRING CREEK
2.15 MI. NORTH OF LA 113, Rapides, LA
Built 1991 Load: 24.5 t ADT: 11,113
Lee Bridge Rd
FairOver: FLAGON BAYOU
1.99 MI. NE OF LA 116, Rapides, LA
Built 1991 Load: 24.6 t ADT: 60
FDR 272
FairOver: CREEK
NATIONAL FOREST ROAD, Rapides, LA
Built 1973 Load: 24.9 t ADT: 30
Red Store Hill Rd
FairOver: BAYOU JEAN DE JEAN
0.05 MI. NORTH OF LA 121, Rapides, LA
Built 1997 Load: 24.9 t ADT: 240
VANDENBURG DR
FairOver: BAYOU RAPIDES
0.01 MI. NORTH OF LA 486, Rapides, LA
Built 1955 Load: 25.3 t ADT: 175
Hooper Rd
FairOver: HORSEPEN CREEKRSEPEN CR.
2.25 M N OF B. MILLER RD., Rapides, LA
Built 1984 Load: 25.9 t ADT: 250
School House Rd
FairOver: BAYOU RAPIDES
JCT LA 1202&SCH HOUSE RD, Rapides, LA
Built 1993 Load: 25.9 t ADT: 290
Myland Dr
FairOver: BAYOU RIGOLETTE TRIB.
0.17 MI. NW US 165, Rapides, LA
Built 2002 Load: 25.9 t ADT: 150
Bethel Rd
FairOver: WATERS BAYOU
2.74 MI. SOUTH OF LA 28, Rapides, LA
Built 1984 Load: 25.9 t ADT: 240
Gene Gunter Rd
FairOver: FLAGON BAYOU TRIBUTARY
2.25 MI. NORTH OF LA 28, Rapides, LA
Built 2001 Load: 25.9 t ADT: 250
LA0465
FairOver: CYPRESS BRANCH
3.88 MI. EAST OF LA 489, Rapides, LA
Built 1947 Load: 26.3 t ADT: 690
LA0465
FairOver: CYPRESS BAYOU
4.41 MI. EAST OF LA 489, Rapides, LA
Built 1947 Load: 26.3 t ADT: 472
LA1199
FairOver: SPRING CREEK
1.24 MI. N OF LA488, Rapides, LA
Built 1965 Load: 26.3 t ADT: 362
Veterans Drive
FairOver: Bayou Rapides
125 N. OF RAPIDES AVE., Rapides, LA
Built 1985 Load: 26.6 t ADT: 1,550
LA0454
FairOver: PILLARS CREEK
2.56 MI. SOUTH OF LA 107, Rapides, LA
Built 1947 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 226
LA3170
FairOver: LATANIER BAYOU
3.78 MI. EAST OF LA 3170, Rapides, LA
Built 1973 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 7,317
Boy Scout Rd
FairOver: MILL CREEK
2.75 MI. SOUTH OF LA 112, Rapides, LA
Built 1984 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 50
Robert Goleman Rd
FairOver: MUDDY BRANCH
0.8 MI. EAST OF LA 121, Rapides, LA
Built 1972 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 45
Boy Scout Rd
FairOver: ROARING CREEK
1.25 MI. SOUTH OF LA 112, Rapides, LA
Built 1984 Load: 27.5 t ADT: 30
US0071
FairOver: UP RAILROAD
.3 MI. N OF INT I-49, Rapides, LA
Built 1974 Load: 27.9 t ADT: 17,593
Turkey Creek Rd
FairOver: LITTLE SPRING CREEK
1.0 MILE EAST OF US 165, Rapides, LA
Built 1997 Load: 27.9 t ADT: 950
Plantation Rd
FairOver: BAYOU RAPIDES
1.84 MI. NORTH OF LA 496, Rapides, LA
Built 1992 Load: 27.9 t ADT: 1,340
Hooper Rd
FairOver: FLAGON BAYOU
0.76 MI. NORTH OF LA 3225, Rapides, LA
Built 1990 Load: 27.9 t ADT: 1,200
JEFFERSON HWY
FairOver: CREEK
0.46 MI. N.OF US 165B, Rapides, LA
Built 1983 Load: 28.5 t ADT: 1,422
US0165
FairOver: LA. & ARKANSAS RR
1.44 MI. N OF INT US71, Rapides, LA
Built 1997 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 20,902
US0167
FairOver: DIVERSION CANAL
2.98 MI. SOUTH OF US 71, Rapides, LA
Built 1950 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 2,324
LA1206
FairOver: Cainey Bayou
1.05 MI. E OF LA115, Rapides, LA
Built 1939 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 1,042
LA1200
FairOver: HEMPHILL CREEK
3.43 MI. S OF LA121, Rapides, LA
Built 1966 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 1,400
North Blvd
FairOver: HORSESHOE CANAL
0.28 MI. NORTH OF US 71, Rapides, LA
Built 1992 Load: 29.2 t ADT: 10,300
LA0121
FairOver: BAYOU RAPIDES
4.02 MI. NORTH OF LA 28, Rapides, LA
Built 2006 Load: 30.5 t ADT: 1,662
LA0454
FairOver: WIGGINS BAYOU
2.33 MI. SOUTH OF LA 107, Rapides, LA
Built 1947 Load: 30.8 t ADT: 226
LA0454
FairOver: WIGGINS BAYOU RELIEF
1.05 MI. SOUTH OF LA 107, Rapides, LA
Built 1947 Load: 30.8 t ADT: 226
North Bayou Rd
FairOver: BAYOU RAPIDES
0.04 M. N. OF E. JCT. LA, Rapides, LA
Built 1995 Load: 30.8 t ADT: 227
US0167
FairOver: US167 FR RDS CITY ST R
0.82 M. N. OF RED RIVER, Rapides, LA
Built 1966 Load: 31.1 t ADT: 35,040
LA3170
FairOver: CHATLIN LAKE CANAL
2.08 MI. EAST OF US 71, Rapides, LA
Built 1963 Load: 31.1 t ADT: 7,317
LA0115
FairOver: BIG CREEK
5.66 MI. NORTH OF LA 107, Rapides, LA
Built 1980 Load: 31.4 t ADT: 2,775
US0167
FairOver: US167 FR RDS CITY ST R
0.82 M. N. OF RED RIVER, Rapides, LA
Built 1966 Load: 31.8 t ADT: 27,628
LA0454
FairOver: PILLARS CREEK
4.85 MI. SOUTH OF LA 107, Rapides, LA
Built 1947 Load: 31.8 t ADT: 226
I0049
FairOver: LA 121
1.65 MI. NORTH OF LA 1200, Rapides, LA
Built 1989 Load: 31.8 t ADT: 25,477
Messina Rd
FairOver: BAYOU BOEUF
1.01 MI. SOUTH OF LA 28, Rapides, LA
Built 1989 Load: 31.8 t ADT: 260
Cotton Island Rd
FairOver: FLAGON BAYOU
4 MI NORTH OF HOLLOWAY, Rapides, LA
Built 2005 Load: 31.8 t ADT: 200
Melder Rd
FairOver: SPRING CREEK
0.5 MI. SOUTH OF LA 112, Rapides, LA
Built 1984 Load: 32.1 t ADT: 375
Hoyt Rd
FairOver: COTILE LAKE
1.11 MI. NW OF LA 1200, Rapides, LA
Built 1969 Load: 32.1 t ADT: 300
SUSEK DR
FairOver: BAYOU MARIA TRIB. #1
0.74 MI. EAST OF LA 3144, Rapides, LA
Built 2011 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 4,200
US0071
FairOver: BAYOU RAPIDES
0.17 MI. NORTH OF LA 496, Rapides, LA
Built 1944 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 42,243
US0165
FairOver: DIVERSION CANAL
1.06 M S OF TRAFFIC CIRCL, Rapides, LA
Built 1944 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 10,946
LA0121
FairOver: BURNEY BRANCH
0.94 MI. SOUTH OF LA 28, Rapides, LA
Built 1929 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 2,368
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.