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)
I0049
GoodOver: GROUND
I-49 / LA 3250 INTG., Rapides, LA
Built 1993 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 15,642
LA0497
GoodOver: SPRING CREEK
2.02 MI. N OF US165, Rapides, LA
Built 1984 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 1,135
LA0497
GoodOver: BARBER CREEK
2.15 MI. N OF US165, Rapides, LA
Built 1984 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 1,135
US0071
GoodOver: U.P. RR
0.5 Mi. South of US 167, Rapides, LA
Built 2019 Load: 41.5 t ADT: 6,861
I0049
GoodOver: BAYOU BOEUF
1.48 MI. SOUTH OF LA 3265, Rapides, LA
Built 1991 Load: 41.7 t ADT: 11,969
I0049
GoodOver: US 71 RAMPS A-3 & A-5
SOUTH I-49 / US 71 INTG., Rapides, LA
Built 1992 Load: 41.7 t ADT: 15,642
I0049
GoodOver: RAMP E-3 ELLIOT ST.
0.67 MI. NORTH OF US 167, Rapides, LA
Built 1995 Load: 41.7 t ADT: 15,642
LA0028
GoodOver: BURNEY BRANCH
0.7 MILES WEST OF JCT. LA, Rapides, LA
Built 2013 Load: 41.8 t ADT: 7,065
LA0028
GoodOver: BURNEY BRANCH
0.7 MILES WEST OF JCT. LA, Rapides, LA
Built 2013 Load: 41.8 t ADT: 8,811
Cheneyville Cutoff
GoodOver: DRAINAGE CANAL
3.7 MI. W OF LA 1, Rapides, LA
Built 2012 Load: 42.4 t ADT: 543
US0071
GoodOver: BAYOU LAMOURIE
2.96 MI. NORTH OF LA 112, Rapides, LA
Built 1977 Load: 42.6 t ADT: 5,157
US0071
GoodOver: BAYOU LAMOURIE
2.96 MI. NORTH OF LA 112, Rapides, LA
Built 1977 Load: 42.6 t ADT: 4,141
LA0107
GoodOver: SWAFFORD CREEK
2.28 MI. EAST OF LA 454, Rapides, LA
Built 1998 Load: 42.6 t ADT: 3,354
Forestry Rd
GoodOver: FORESTRY ROAD OVER I-49
3.9M N OF LA 112 ON I-49, Rapides, LA
Built 1989 Load: 42.6 t ADT: 1,460
I0049
GoodOver: BAYOU BOEUF
1.48 MI. SOUTH OF LA 3265, Rapides, LA
Built 1991 Load: 42.6 t ADT: 20,572
Cotton Gin Rd
GoodOver: I-49
0.83 MI. NORTH OF US 71, Rapides, LA
Built 1989 Load: 42.6 t ADT: 1,460
I0049
GoodOver: EMBANKMENT
I-49/US 167 INTG., Rapides, LA
Built 1993 Load: 42.6 t ADT: 31,187
I0049
GoodOver: GROUND
1.03 MI. SOUTH OF US 71, Rapides, LA
Built 1995 Load: 42.6 t ADT: 15,642
I0049
GoodOver: UP RR
1.05 MI. NORTH OF LA 498, Rapides, LA
Built 1991 Load: 42.6 t ADT: 25,033
I0049
GoodOver: UP RR
1.05 MI. NORTH OF LA 498, Rapides, LA
Built 1991 Load: 42.6 t ADT: 20,561
US0071
GoodOver: LA 1 FR. ROAD UP RR
0.67 MI. NE OF LA 498, Rapides, LA
Built 1996 Load: 42.6 t ADT: 18,100
DIXIE CHURCH RD
GoodOver: CYPRESS BAYOU
0.19 MI S OF LA 465, Rapides, LA
Built 2022 Load: 43.4 t ADT: 80
SETLIFF RD
GoodOver: BAYOU PIERRE TRIBUTARY
2.8 Mi NW of LA 8, Rapides, LA
Built 2022 Load: 43.4 t ADT: 150
CASTOR PLUNGE RD
GoodOver: LITTLE BAYOU CLEAR
1.5 M W OF US 165, Rapides, LA
Built 2021 Load: 43.4 t ADT: 100
LA1208-1
GoodOver: CHATLIN LAKE CANAL
0.35 MI. SW OF LA 1, Rapides, LA
Built 1994 Load: 43.5 t ADT: 4,442
US0071
GoodOver: DITCH
4.41 MI. NORTH OF LA 3170, Rapides, LA
Built 1989 Load: 43.5 t ADT: 14,299
US0071
GoodOver: DITCH
4.41 MI. NORTH OF LA 3170, Rapides, LA
Built 1989 Load: 43.5 t ADT: 17,593
US0165
GoodOver: INDIAN CREEK
1.7 M N OF JCT. LA 112, Rapides, LA
Built 1991 Load: 43.5 t ADT: 10,670
LA0121
GoodOver: MILL CREEK
2.59 MI. WEST OF LA 463, Rapides, LA
Built 1992 Load: 43.5 t ADT: 1,932
LA0121
GoodOver: BIG CREEK
2.46 MI. WEST OF LA 463, Rapides, LA
Built 1992 Load: 43.5 t ADT: 1,932
LA0112
GoodOver: HURRICANE CREEK
0.74 MI. EAST OF US 165, Rapides, LA
Built 1971 Load: 43.5 t ADT: 2,304
LA0112
GoodOver: BEAVER CREEK TRIBUTARY
5.41 MI. EAST OF US 165, Rapides, LA
Built 1971 Load: 43.5 t ADT: 2,304
LA1204
GoodOver: HAW CREEK
1.24 MI EAST JCT US 165, Rapides, LA
Built 1996 Load: 43.5 t ADT: 1,951
LA0116
GoodOver: BAYOU FLAGON
7.44 MI. E OF INT US165, Rapides, LA
Built 1969 Load: 43.5 t ADT: 6,942
I0049
GoodOver: EMBANKMENT
.12 MI. N OF US167, Rapides, LA
Built 1995 Load: 43.5 t ADT: 17,593
LA0498
GoodOver: BIG BAYOU
0.28 M S. OF LA 1, Rapides, LA
Built 1996 Load: 43.5 t ADT: 868
LA0498
GoodOver: IRISH DITCH NO. 2
2.76 MI W. OF US 71, Rapides, LA
Built 1994 Load: 43.5 t ADT: 868
Chickamaw Rd
GoodOver: BAYOU LAMOURIE
1.2 MI SOUTH OF LA 470, Rapides, LA
Built 2012 Load: 43.7 t ADT: 175
H. STRANGE RD
GoodOver: INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR
2.37 MI NW OF LA 112, Rapides, LA
Built 2021 Load: 44.1 t ADT: 825
PALMER CHAPEL ROAD
GoodOver: WIGGINS BAYOU
0.6 MI E OF LA 107, Rapides, LA
Built 2021 Load: 44.1 t ADT: 1,400
Valentine Lake Rd
GoodOver: VALENTINE CREEK
2.55 MI. EAST OF LA 121, Rapides, LA
Built 2013 Load: 44.4 t ADT: 520
LA0115
GoodOver: WATERS BAYOU
2.26 MI. SOUTH OF LA 28, Rapides, LA
Built 2001 Load: 44.5 t ADT: 2,775
I0049
GoodOver: HILL BAYOU
3.11 MI. NORTH OF LA 3250, Rapides, LA
Built 1995 Load: 44.5 t ADT: 33,869
I0049
GoodOver: US 167 BUSINESS
I-49 / US 167 INTG., Rapides, LA
Built 1995 Load: 44.5 t ADT: 42,770
I0049
GoodOver: GROUND
NORTH I-49 / US 71 INTG., Rapides, LA
Built 1994 Load: 44.5 t ADT: 15,642
US0071
GoodOver: LA 1
0.69 MI. SW OF I-49, Rapides, LA
Built 1994 Load: 44.5 t ADT: 29,767
N 16th St
GoodOver: Bayou Rapides
0.4 Mi N of La 1, Rapides, LA
Built 2023 Load: 45.4 t ADT: 334
LA0008
GoodOver: CASTOR CREEK
5.1 MI. EAST OF LA 119, Rapides, LA
Built 1996 Load: 45.4 t ADT: 1,226
I0049
GoodOver: GROUND
NORTH I-49 / US 71 INTG., Rapides, LA
Built 1992 Load: 45.4 t ADT: 15,642
I0049
GoodOver: RAILROAD AVE. UP RR
NORTH I-49 / US 71 INTG., Rapides, LA
Built 1995 Load: 45.4 t ADT: 15,642
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.