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

US0167

Good

Over: US 71

US 167 / US 71 INTG., Rapides, LA

Built 1981 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 29,768

US0167

Good

Over: US 71

US 167 / US 71 INTG., Rapides, LA

Built 1981 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 27,628

LA0461

Good

Over: GOODMAN BRANCH

3.7 MI. SE OF LA 121, Rapides, LA

Built 1992 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 830

LA0461

Good

Over: MILL CREEK

0.82 MI. SE OF LA 121, Rapides, LA

Built 1992 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 830

LA0461

Good

Over: HINESTON BRANCH

0.41 MI. SE OF LA 121, Rapides, LA

Built 1992 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 830

I0049

Good

Over: DIVERSION CANAL

1.4 M N INT I-49 7 US 167, Rapides, LA

Built 1989 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 20,572

I0049

Good

Over: DIVERSION CANAL

1.4M N INT I-49 & US 167, Rapides, LA

Built 1989 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 11,969

I0049

Good

Over: HYNSON BAYOU

2.23 MI. NORTH OF LA 3250, Rapides, LA

Built 1990 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 53,224

I0049

Good

Over: HYNSON BAYOU

2.23 MI. NORTH OF LA 3250, Rapides, LA

Built 1990 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 20,561

I0049

Good

Over: ROAD RR LAKE CONVEYOR

3.23 MI. NORTH OF LA 1200, Rapides, LA

Built 1982 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 25,477

I0049

Good

Over: CARNAHAN CREEK

3.45 MI NORTH LA 8, Rapides, LA

Built 1987 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 14,042

I0049

Good

Over: CARNAHAN CREEK

3.45 MI NORTH LA 8, Rapides, LA

Built 1987 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 11,969

LA0462

Good

Over: CHERRY WINCHE CREEK

4.07 MI. EAST OF LA 112, Rapides, LA

Built 1997 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 77

LA0462

Good

Over: CHERRY WINCHE CR. RELIEF

4.17 MI. EAST OF LA 112, Rapides, LA

Built 1997 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 77

LA3100

Good

Over: KCS RR

0.58 MI. NE OF US 165B, Rapides, LA

Built 1994 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 3,546

US0071

Good

Over: ROCKY BAYOU

2.7 MI. NORTH OF I-49, Rapides, LA

Built 1997 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 10,090

US0071

Good

Over: ROCKY BAYOU

2.7 MI. N OF I-49, Rapides, LA

Built 1997 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 17,593

LA0476

Good

Over: NEGREET CREEK

2.8 MI NORTH OF LA 191, Sabine, LA

Built 1998 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 1,731

LA1216

Good

Over: LEWIS CREEK

9.0 MI EAST OF US 171, Sabine, LA

Built 1997 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 209

US0171

Good

Over: VERNON LAKE

2.09 MI. SOUTH OF LA 111, Vernon, LA

Built 1967 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 6,952

LA0467

Good

Over: BAYOU CASTOR N BRANCH

1.04 MI. SOUTH OF US 171, Vernon, LA

Built 1989 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 4,743

LA0111

Good

Over: DRY BRANCH CREEK

11.24M SOUTH OF LA 8, Vernon, LA

Built 1992 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 1,480

LA0111

Good

Over: MILL CREEK

8.71M SOUTH OF LA 8, Vernon, LA

Built 1992 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 1,480

LA0111

Good

Over: MOORE BRANCH

8.28M SOUTH OF LA 8, Vernon, LA

Built 1992 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 1,480

LA0111

Good

Over: DAMREL CREEK

7.45M SOUTH OF LA 8, Vernon, LA

Built 1992 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 1,480

LA0111

Good

Over: RED BANK CREEK

5.17M SOUTH OF LA 8, Vernon, LA

Built 1992 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 1,480

LA0111

Good

Over: CLEAR CREEK

1.13M SOUTH OF LA 8, Vernon, LA

Built 1992 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 1,480

LA0111

Good

Over: PEARL CREEK

.4 MI NORTH OF LA 8, Vernon, LA

Built 1982 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 426

LA0111

Good

Over: YELLOW BRANCH

2.24 MILES NORTH OF LA 8, Vernon, LA

Built 1982 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 426

LA0111

Good

Over: JONES CREEK

3.58 MILES NORTH OF LA 8, Vernon, LA

Built 1982 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 426

LA0111

Good

Over: SANDY CREEK

5.4 MI NORTH OF LA 8, Vernon, LA

Built 1982 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 426

LA0392

Good

Over: LITTLE SANDY BRANCH

3.18 M N JCT LA 111, Vernon, LA

Built 1999 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 498

LA0392

Good

Over: ELDER BRANCH

4.47 M. N. OF JCT. LA 111, Vernon, LA

Built 1998 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 485

LA0464

Good

Over: BUCK CREEK

1.17M SOUTH OF JCT LA 8, Vernon, LA

Built 1993 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 856

LA0489

Good

Over: BILLY CREEK

2.2 MI. N. OF LA 121, Vernon, LA

Built 1999 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 639

LA0113

Good

Over: SOAPSTONE CREEK

3.62M. S. OF JCT LA 10, Vernon, LA

Built 2000 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 709

LA0113

Good

Over: SIX MILE CREEK

1.22 M S OF JCT LA 10, Vernon, LA

Built 1999 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 709

LA3226

Good

Over: CYPRESS CREEK TRIBUTARY

3.79 MI WEST OF US 171, Vernon, LA

Built 1987 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 1,816

US0167

Good

Over: CEDAR CREEK

7.48 MI. NORTH OF LA 500, Winn, LA

Built 1988 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 11,712

US0167

Good

Over: PORT DELUCE CREEK RELIEF

0.11 MI. SOUTH OF LA 501, Winn, LA

Built 1991 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 8,727

LA0034

Good

Over: FLAT CREEK

3.56 MI NORTH OF LA 126, Winn, LA

Built 1988 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 916

LA0500

Good

Over: BEAR CREEK

0.24 MI. EAST OF US 167, Winn, LA

Built 1998 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 220

LA0506

Good

Over: CREEK

3.3 MI WEST OF US 165, Caldwell, LA

Built 1984 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 306

LA0846

Good

Over: CASTOR CREEK

2.35 MI NORTH OF LA 4, Caldwell, LA

Built 1985 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 205

LA0008

Good

Over: YELLOW BRANCH CREEK

0.29 M E of LA 772, Catahoula, LA

Built 1994 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 1,527

LA0015

Good

Over: LITTLE TURKEY CREEK

1.50 M S of LA 1242, Franklin, LA

Built 1994 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 4,592

LA0015

Good

Over: LITTLE TURKEY CREEK

1.50 M S of LA 1242, Franklin, LA

Built 1994 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 6,896

LA0015

Good

Over: ASH SLOUGH RELIEF

0.25 M N of LA 868, Franklin, LA

Built 1987 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 9,661

LA0015

Good

Over: ASH SLOUGH RELIEF

0.25 M N of LA 868, Franklin, LA

Built 1988 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 6,896

LA0015

Good

Over: ASH SLOUGH

1.4 MI NORTH OF LA 868, Franklin, LA

Built 1987 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 9,661

Showing 9,751-9,800 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.