State profile · Above median Poor share

Louisiana bridge safety

According to the Federal Highway Administration's 2024 National Bridge Inventory, condition ratings, load ratings, and Poor-condition shares for every public highway bridge in Louisiana.

12,698
Public bridges
38.7%
Good condition
11.5%
Poor condition

Louisiana holds 12,698 public highway bridges (#24 of 52 by inventory) with a 11.48% Poor share (#8 of 52 by Poor share).

That is 11.5% of the state's inventory, against an average of 7.5% across the 54 states and territories with Poor-rated bridges on file, which places it 45 of 54 ordered from the lowest Poor share upward. A bridge is rated Poor when its weakest applicable component scores 4 or below on the inspecting agency's 0-9 scale, so the category is a maintenance and funding signal rather than a closure order or a live crossing-safety verdict.

Inventory: FHWA NBI 2024 · last ETL August 2026

Total Bridges

12,698

Public highway bridges in Louisiana

Good Condition

38.7%

4,919 bridges rated 7-9

-11.3pp vs 50% benchmark

Poor Condition

11.5%

1,458 bridges whose lowest applicable component is rated 0-4

4.0pp vs national avg 7.5%

Louisiana vs national bridge condition

Louisiana - Good condition share 38.7%
National avg

Share of bridges rated 7-9 on the FHWA 0-9 scale (deck, superstructure, substructure all good).

Louisiana - Poor-condition share 38.3%
National avg

Lower is better. Bar maxes at 30% (worst-state ceiling). National average sits at 7.5%.

Louisiana in the national condition pattern

Each point is a state or territory in the FHWA NBI; the highlighted point is this profile.

Inventory size and Poor-condition share are different measures: Louisiana has 12,698 bridges and a 11.5% Poor-condition share in the 2024 NBI, rank #45 of 54 jurisdictions ordered from the lowest share upward. The dashed comparisons mark the national average state rate and the midpoint of the plotted inventory range; neither is a live safety or closure threshold. Scatter plot of 54 data points. 0%10%20%30%40% 0k20k40k60k Public bridges in inventory (thousands) Poor-condition share (%) LA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 12.7k · Poor-condition share (%): 11.48%AL, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 16.2k · Poor-condition share (%): 3.35%AK, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 1.7k · Poor-condition share (%): 7.89%AZ, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 8.6k · Poor-condition share (%): 1.15%AR, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 13k · Poor-condition share (%): 5.43%CA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 25.8k · Poor-condition share (%): 5.91%CO, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 9k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.82%CT, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 4.4k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.72%DE, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 0.9k · Poor-condition share (%): 1.26%DC, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 0.3k · Poor-condition share (%): 1.95%FL, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 13k · Poor-condition share (%): 2.79%GA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 15.1k · Poor-condition share (%): 1.59%GU, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 0k · Poor-condition share (%): 12.77%HI, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 1.2k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.53%ID, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 4.6k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.9%IL, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 26.9k · Poor-condition share (%): 9.35%IN, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 19.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 5.22%IA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 23.7k · Poor-condition share (%): 19.16%KS, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 24.9k · Poor-condition share (%): 5.26%KY, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 14.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 7.37%ME, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 2.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 15.41%MD, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 5.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.56%MA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 5.3k · Poor-condition share (%): 8.88%MI, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 11.4k · Poor-condition share (%): 11.27%MN, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 13.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.44%MS, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 16.7k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.03%MO, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 24.6k · Poor-condition share (%): 8.95%MT, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 5.2k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.81%NE, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 15.4k · Poor-condition share (%): 7.9%NV, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 2.1k · Poor-condition share (%): 1.14%NH, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 2.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 7.51%NJ, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 6.8k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.01%NM, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 4k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.51%NY, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 17.6k · Poor-condition share (%): 9.43%NC, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 19.2k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.76%ND, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 4.3k · Poor-condition share (%): 10.98%OH, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 26.7k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.74%OK, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 22.9k · Poor-condition share (%): 7.7%OR, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 8.3k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.61%PA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 23.3k · Poor-condition share (%): 12.58%PR, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 2.4k · Poor-condition share (%): 13.92%RI, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 0.8k · Poor-condition share (%): 15.2%SC, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 9.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.17%SD, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 5.9k · Poor-condition share (%): 16.36%TN, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 20.4k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.41%TX, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 56.7k · Poor-condition share (%): 1.23%UT, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 3.1k · Poor-condition share (%): 2.91%VT, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 2.9k · Poor-condition share (%): 2.9%VI, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 0k · Poor-condition share (%): 29.17%VA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 14.1k · Poor-condition share (%): 3.39%WA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 8.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 5.45%WV, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 7.3k · Poor-condition share (%): 18.64%WI, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 14.4k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.52%WY, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 3.1k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.51%
Inventory size and Poor-condition share are different measures: Louisiana has 12,698 bridges and a 11.5% Poor-condition share in the 2024 NBI, rank #45 of 54 jurisdictions ordered from the lowest share upward. The dashed comparisons mark the national average state rate and the midpoint of the plotted inventory range; neither is a live safety or closure threshold.

Louisiana vs all states by public bridge inventory

Where this state's FHWA NBI public-highway bridge count sits among every state and territory on PlainBridges

12,698 24th of 54 higher than 30 of 54 states

States and territories, banded by public bridge inventory size

Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more states. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count and share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source FHWA National Bridge Inventory · 2024

Read the rank neighborhood for Louisiana

The highlighted point is Louisiana: 12,698 bridges and 11.48% in Poor condition, rank #45 of 54 jurisdictions ordered from the lowest share upward. The five jurisdictions immediately above and below Louisiana on that same Poor-share ordering:

  • North Dakota: 4,255 bridges · 10.98% Poor
  • Michigan: 11,371 bridges · 11.27% Poor
  • Louisiana: 12,698 bridges · 11.48% Poor
  • Pennsylvania: 23,299 bridges · 12.58% Poor
  • Guam: 47 bridges · 12.77% Poor

The full national sortable table lives on the rankings page.

Material families in Louisiana

Exclusive FHWA material families across all 12,698 bridges in this state; continuous variants fold into the parent family. Orthogonal to the Poor-share scatter above.

Who maintains Louisiana’s inventory

State agency holds 61.0% of the 12,698 public highway bridges filed under Louisiana in the 2024 NBI, the agency-of-record split for this state, not a condition verdict.

When Louisiana’s bridges were built

Pre-1950 construction accounts for 4.2% of the 12,698 bridges with a recorded original year in Louisiana. Era bands are orthogonal to the Poor-share ranking above.

Condition Distribution

Louisiana38.7%49.8%11.5%GoodFairPoor
Bridge inventory deck-condition mix - Louisiana (FHWA NBI)

Louisiana vs nearby ranks

Adjacent states by Poor-condition share (lower share = better)

States are ranked by the share of bridges whose lowest applicable component rating is 4 or below. This describes recorded condition; it does not measure funding effectiveness or live crossing safety. States here sit immediately above and below Louisiana on the same metric.

ND

North Dakota

10.98% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$4,255

MI

Michigan

11.27% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$11,371
Selected

LA

Louisiana

11.48% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$12,698

PA

Pennsylvania

12.58% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$23,299

GU

Guam

12.77% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$47

Bridges Needing Most Attention in Louisiana

Six lowest-condition bridges in Louisiana, ranked by the portal's composite display score. Inspection intervals are risk-based under current NBIS rules.

All Bridges in Louisiana

I0049

Fair

Over: RAMBIN BAYOU

0.3 MI. N. OF LA 175 INTG, De Soto, LA

Built 1986 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 29,022

I0049

Fair

Over: RAMBIN BAYOU

0.3 MI. N. OF LA 175 INTG, De Soto, LA

Built 1986 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 28,142

I0049

Fair

Over: BRUSHY BAYOU

0.9 MI. N OF LA 175 INTG., De Soto, LA

Built 1986 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 29,022

I0049

Fair

Over: BRUSHY BAYOU

0.9 MI. N. OF LA 175 INTG, De Soto, LA

Built 1986 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 28,142

I0049

Fair

Over: WALLACE BAYOU

6.95 MI N OF LA 175 INTG, De Soto, LA

Built 1988 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 29,022

I0049

Fair

Over: WALLACE BAYOU

6.95 MI N OF LA 175 INTG, De Soto, LA

Built 1988 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 28,142

US0071

Fair

Over: BAYOU TOULON

.5 MI NORTH OF LA 514, Red River, LA

Built 1977 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 2,559

LA0531

Fair

Over: COOLEY BRANCH

2.8 MI NORTH OF I-20, Webster, LA

Built 1980 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 1,689

I0020

Fair

Over: L & A RR

0.12M EAST OF LA 159, Webster, LA

Built 1960 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 15,642

US0065

Fair

Over: WILD CAT BAYOU

5.4 MI SOUTH OF LA 580, East Carroll, LA

Built 1985 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 2,671

LA0004

Fair

Over: CASTOR CREEK

5.0 MI EAST OF LA 499, Jackson, LA

Built 1979 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 338

LA0155

Fair

Over: CHOCTAW CREEK

2.29 MI WEST OF US 167, Jackson, LA

Built 1981 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 1,222

LA0155

Fair

Over: DUGDEMONA RIVER

1.69 MI WEST OF US 167, Jackson, LA

Built 1981 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 1,222

LA0034

Fair

Over: WOLF CREEK

1.09 MI NORTH OF LA 147, Jackson, LA

Built 1982 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 1,370

LA0034

Fair

Over: CREEK

3.88 MI NORTH OF LA 147, Jackson, LA

Built 1982 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 1,370

LA0034

Fair

Over: CANEY CREEK

.01 MI NORTH OF LA 801, Jackson, LA

Built 1982 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 1,443

LA0034

Fair

Over: CANEY CREEK RELIEF

.21 MI NORTH OF LA 801, Jackson, LA

Built 1982 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 1,443

E KENTUCKY AVE

Fair

Over: COLVIN CREEK

0.65 MI E OF US 167, Lincoln, LA

Built 2017 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 4,527

LA0507

Fair

Over: DUGDEMONA RIVER

2.72 MI N BIENVILLE PAR, Lincoln, LA

Built 1986 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 868

I0020

Fair

Over: M. P. RR

.4 MI WEST OF US 65, Madison, LA

Built 1975 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 31,481

LA0133

Fair

Over: BAYOU LAFOURCHE

MOREHOUSE/RICHLAND LINE, Morehouse, LA

Built 1992 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 1,954

LA0590

Fair

Over: BAYOU

0.94 MI E of ELVIN ROAD, Morehouse, LA

Built 1986 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 85

LA0590

Fair

Over: CHEMIN-A-HAUL BAYOU

1.5 Mi. W. of LA 591, Morehouse, LA

Built 1986 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 85

LA0590

Fair

Over: BAYOU

1.33 MI E of ELVIN ROAD, Morehouse, LA

Built 1986 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 85

I0020

Fair

Over: BLACK BAYOU (FRONTAGE RD

1.0 MI EAST OF LA 617, Ouachita, LA

Built 1986 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 60,145

I0020

Fair

Over: YOUNGS BAYOU

.7 MI EAST OF LA 594, Ouachita, LA

Built 1965 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 84,225

I0020

Fair

Over: YOUNGS BAYOU

.7 MI EAST OF LA 594, Ouachita, LA

Built 1965 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 66,061

I0020

Fair

Over: BENNETT BAYOU

5.5 MI EAST OF US 165, Ouachita, LA

Built 1968 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 43,420

GOURD BAYOU RD

Fair

Over: YOUNGS BAYOU

2.5 MI S.MONROE, Ouachita, LA

Built 1984 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 278

LA0137

Fair

Over: DRY FORK CREEK

2.58 MI NORTH OF LA 877, Richland, LA

Built 1987 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 9,661

LA0137

Fair

Over: DRY FORK CREEK

2.58 MI NORTH OF LA 877, Richland, LA

Built 1987 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 6,578

LA0137

Fair

Over: CREEK

1.4 MI NORTH OF LA 584, Richland, LA

Built 1987 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 9,661

LA0137

Fair

Over: DRY FORK CREEK

1.4 MI NORTH OF LA 584, Richland, LA

Built 1987 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 6,578

I0020

Fair

Over: DIVERSION CANAL

3.8 MI WEST OF LA 133, Richland, LA

Built 1968 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 38,890

I0020

Fair

Over: BAYOU CREW

2.8 MI WEST OF LA 133, Richland, LA

Built 1968 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 38,890

I0020

Fair

Over: BAYOU CREW

2.8 MI WEST OF LA 133, Richland, LA

Built 1968 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 16,997

LA0854

Fair

Over: BIG CREEK

2.7 MI EAST OF LA 183, Richland, LA

Built 1982 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 529

LA0856

Fair

Over: BEE BAYOU

.88 MI EAST OF US 425, Richland, LA

Built 1985 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 1,064

LA0002

Fair

Over: CANE CREEK

2.1 MI E of S JCT. LA 33, Union, LA

Built 1981 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 6,218

LA0550

Fair

Over: DELOUTRE BAYOU

3.1 MI E of LA 15, Union, LA

Built 1986 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 464

LA0587

Fair

Over: BAYOU

3.7 MI WEST OF LA 878, West Carroll, LA

Built 1985 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 565

LA0588

Fair

Over: BIG COLEWA CREEK

1.1 MI EAST OF LA 585, West Carroll, LA

Built 1983 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 325

LA0026

Fair

Over: WEST RELIEF

4.4 M W of US 165, Allen, LA

Built 1979 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 2,113

LA0026

Fair

Over: MIDDLE RELIEF

4.1 M W of US 165, Allen, LA

Built 1979 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 2,113

LA0026

Fair

Over: CALCASIEU RIVER

13.14 MI. E OF INT LA377, Allen, LA

Built 1979 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 2,113

LA0010

Fair

Over: CREEK

1.7 MI. E OF LA 3205, Allen, LA

Built 1987 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 4,806

LA0026

Fair

Over: BUNDICKS CREEK

0.8 MI E OF US 171, Beauregard, LA

Built 1984 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 4,012

LA0026

Fair

Over: CREEK

4.1 MI W OF LA 1147, Beauregard, LA

Built 1984 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 2,585

LA0026

Fair

Over: SPRING CREEK

6.9 MI E OF US 171, Beauregard, LA

Built 1984 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 2,585

PERKINS ST

Fair

Over: BUXTON CREEK

0.3 MI N of LA 12, Calcasieu, LA

Built 2015 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 1,350

Showing 5,251-5,300 of 12,698 bridges

Data sourced from the FHWA National Bridge Inventory (NBI), latest released cycle. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainBridges.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the FHWA National Bridge Inventory (NBI). Poor condition is an inspection-record category, not a closure or unsafe-to-cross designation. Consult the bridge owner for current status.

What to do with this

Use Louisiana's inventory picture to drill to a county or a specific span.

  • Browse counties in Louisiana and open the highest-Poor shares first. County list
  • See where this state sits among peers on Poor-condition share. State rankings
  • Compare this state with another jurisdiction on the same measures. State compare

NBI condition ratings are inventory snapshots, not live crossing-safety verdicts.

Every figure on PlainBridges is rendered directly from federal source data, no number is typed in by an editor. Louisiana Good/Fair/Poor shares and county rollups on this page are computed from the same NBI extract as the national boards; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of 2024 NBI release. NBI condition categories reflect the latest reported inventory record, not a live safety, closure, or travel decision.