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

US0165

Good

Over: ROCKY BAYOU

3.37 MI. NORTH OF LA 3265, Rapides, LA

Built 1993 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 8,811

US0165

Good

Over: WILLOW BAYOU

5.57 MI. NORTH OF LA 3265, Rapides, LA

Built 1993 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 8,811

US0165

Good

Over: PECAN BAYOU

6.57 MI. NORTH OF LA 3265, Rapides, LA

Built 1993 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 17,593

US0165

Good

Over: FLAGON BAYOU RELIEF

0.44 MI. NORTH OF LA 623, Rapides, LA

Built 1984 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 20,902

US0165

Good

Over: FLAGON BAYOU

0.61 MI. NORTH OF LA 623, Rapides, LA

Built 1984 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 20,902

LA0001

Good

Over: BAYOU RAPIDES

0.37 MI. SOUTH OF US 71, Rapides, LA

Built 1993 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 7,754

US0167

Good

Over: DIVERSION CANAL

2.98 MI. SOUTH OF US 71, Rapides, LA

Built 1985 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 4,141

LA0112

Good

Over: ROARING CANAL

5.21 MI. WEST OF US 165, Rapides, LA

Built 1993 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 1,268

LA0457

Good

Over: RATTLE SNAKE BAYOU

2.71 MI. NE OF US 71, Rapides, LA

Built 1993 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 806

LA0457

Good

Over: POMPEY BAYOU

3.24 MI. NE OF US 71, Rapides, LA

Built 1993 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 806

LA0113

Good

Over: CALCASIEU RIVER RELIEF

3.06 MI. E OF INT LA112, Rapides, LA

Built 1981 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 2,071

LA0116

Good

Over: THORNY BRANCH

2.04 MI NE JCT US 165, Rapides, LA

Built 1983 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 6,942

LA0116

Good

Over: BEAVER CREEK

5.28 MI E JCT US 165, Rapides, LA

Built 1983 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 6,942

LA0116

Good

Over: BEAVER CREEK RELIEF

5.47 MI E JCT US 165, Rapides, LA

Built 1983 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 6,942

LA0116

Good

Over: MILL CREEK RELIEF

6.33 MI E JCT US 165, Rapides, LA

Built 1983 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 6,942

LA0116

Good

Over: MILL CREEK RELIEF

6.6 MI EAST US 165, Rapides, LA

Built 1986 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 6,942

I0049

Good

Over: DRAINAGE CANAL

2.08 MILE SOUTH OF LA 181, Rapides, LA

Built 1985 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 20,572

I0049

Good

Over: DRAINAGE CANAL

2.08 MILES SOUTH OF LA181, Rapides, LA

Built 1986 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 11,969

I0049

Good

Over: GROUND

I-49 / LA 3250 INTG., Rapides, LA

Built 1993 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 15,642

LA0497

Good

Over: SPRING CREEK

2.02 MI. N OF US165, Rapides, LA

Built 1984 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 1,135

LA0497

Good

Over: BARBER CREEK

2.15 MI. N OF US165, Rapides, LA

Built 1984 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 1,135

US0171

Good

Over: PHILLIPS CREEK

0.51 MI. SOUTH OF LA 175, Sabine, LA

Built 1985 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 10,204

US0171

Good

Over: HARPOON BAYOU RELIEF

0.28 MI. SOUTH OF LA 175, Sabine, LA

Built 1985 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 10,204

US0171

Good

Over: HARPOON BAYOU

0.08 MI. SOUTH OF LA 175, Sabine, LA

Built 1985 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 10,204

LA0175

Good

Over: BAYOU-SCIE

5.54 MI. NORTH OF LA 1216, Sabine, LA

Built 1981 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 1,786

LA0174

Good

Over: HORSE HEAD CREEK

.27 M E OF W JCT. LA 483, Sabine, LA

Built 1983 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 1,099

LA0174

Good

Over: LOST BAYOU

2.07 M E OF E JCT. LA 483, Sabine, LA

Built 1983 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 1,099

LA0174

Good

Over: DAW BRANCH

2.82 MI. WEST OF LA 175, Sabine, LA

Built 1983 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 1,099

LA0174

Good

Over: SAN MIGUEL BAYOU

2.57 MI. WEST OF LA 175, Sabine, LA

Built 1983 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 1,099

LA0174

Good

Over: SAN MIGUEL BAYOU

.25 MI EAST OF LA 175, Sabine, LA

Built 1983 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 665

LA0473

Good

Over: AUTHUR CREEK

1.2 MI EAST OF LA 191, Sabine, LA

Built 1986 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 738

LA0473

Good

Over: LAKE CREEK

4.3 MI EAST OF LA 191, Sabine, LA

Built 1986 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 738

LA0010

Good

Over: HOGPEN BRANCH

.2 MI EAST OF LA 467, Vernon, LA

Built 1985 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 1,934

Sub Regional Parkw

Good

Over: Drainage Creek

0.2 Mi E of La 467, Vernon, LA

Built 2021 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 200

US0171

Good

Over: FLAT CREEK

.1 MI SOUTH OF LA 3226, Vernon, LA

Built 1981 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 14,420

US0171

Good

Over: FLAT CREEK

.1 MI SOUTH OF LA 3226, Vernon, LA

Built 1979 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 14,458

US0171

Good

Over: PRAIRIE CREEK

1.59 M. N. OF N. JCT. LA, Vernon, LA

Built 1986 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 9,417

US0171

Good

Over: PRAIRIE CREEK SOUTH RDWY

1.59 M. N. OF N. JCT. LA, Vernon, LA

Built 1986 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 6,952

LA0111

Good

Over: ANACOCO CREEK

1.75 MI E. JCT. US 171, Vernon, LA

Built 1997 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 937

LA0111

Good

Over: UNNAMED CREEK

4.88 MI. E. JCT. US 171, Vernon, LA

Built 1997 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 937

LA0111

Good

Over: PRAIRIE CREEK

5.79 MI E. JCT. US 171, Vernon, LA

Built 1997 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 937

LA0111

Good

Over: PRAIRIE CREEK

5.86 MI. E. JCT. US 171, Vernon, LA

Built 1997 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 937

LA0111

Good

Over: DRY CREEK

6.74 MI. E. JCT. US 171, Vernon, LA

Built 1997 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 937

LA0113

Good

Over: STEEP GULLY BRANCH

3.1 MI EAST OF LA 10, Vernon, LA

Built 1984 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 822

LA0113

Good

Over: STEEP GULLY

3.2 MI EAST OF LA 10, Vernon, LA

Built 1984 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 822

LA1146

Good

Over: CLEAR CREEK

1.8M EAST US 171, Vernon, LA

Built 1993 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 918

LA1146

Good

Over: HURRICANE CREEK

2.5M EAST US 171, Vernon, LA

Built 1993 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 918

LA1146

Good

Over: BUNDICK CREEK

4.1M EAST OF US 171, Vernon, LA

Built 1993 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 918

LA0126

Good

Over: DUGDEMONA RIVER RELIEF

1.4 MI E. OF JCT. LA 501, Winn, LA

Built 1986 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 527

LA0126

Good

Over: DUGDEMONA RIVER RELIEF

1.65 MI E OF JCT. LA 501, Winn, LA

Built 1986 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 527

Showing 9,951-10,000 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.