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

Good

Over: DOE SLOUGH CANAL

1.0 MI SOUTH OF LA 173, Caddo, LA

Built 2013 Load: 74.5 t ADT: 42,454

I0049

Good

Over: HARTMAN BRANCH

0.92 MI S. OF LA 168, Caddo, LA

Built 2014 Load: 74.5 t ADT: 53,023

LA0169

Good

Over: BAYOU

2.25 MI WEST JCT US 71, Caddo, LA

Built 1981 Load: 74.5 t ADT: 311

SUNNYBROOK ST.

Good

Over: BRUSHY BAYOU

0.2 MI W OF LA 171, Caddo, LA

Built 1956 Load: 74.5 t ADT: 1,200

Mooringsport-Latex

Good

Over: MILLER BRANCH

0.43 MI E OF TEXAS LINE, Caddo, LA

Built 1999 Load: 74.5 t ADT: 43

Daw Rd

Good

Over: SIPHORIEN BAYOU

1.8 MI. NORTH OF LA 509, De Soto, LA

Built 2007 Load: 74.5 t ADT: 200

LA0034

Good

Over: BULLARD CREEK

4.8 MI E of LA 4, Jackson, LA

Built 2002 Load: 74.5 t ADT: 2,877

JOE HOLTON RD

Good

Over: BRANCH OF CLEAR CREEK

1.5 MILES SOUTH OF LA 34, Ouachita, LA

Built 2015 Load: 74.5 t ADT: 58

VOCATIONAL PARKWAY

Good

Over: PATRICK BAYOU

0.7 MILES WEST OF CAMP RO, Ouachita, LA

Built 2013 Load: 74.5 t ADT: 2,191

LA0015

Good

Over: HICKS CREEK

5.64 MI N of US 80, Ouachita, LA

Built 1998 Load: 74.5 t ADT: 6,512

O.M. Walker Rd

Good

Over: East Fork Creek

0.2 Mi. E of LA 183, Richland, LA

Built 2017 Load: 74.5 t ADT: 25

MENONNITE RD

Good

Over: BARNES CREEK RELIEF

0.8 MI E OF S MENNONITE R, Beauregard, LA

Built 1996 Load: 74.5 t ADT: 420

Air Base Rd

Good

Over: CREEK

0.25 MI. EAST OF US 167, Grant, LA

Built 2005 Load: 74.5 t ADT: 138

Air Base Rd

Good

Over: CREEK

.42 MILES EAST OF US 167, Grant, LA

Built 2005 Load: 74.5 t ADT: 138

Nelms Loop Rd

Good

Over: DRY BRANCH

.87 MILES E US 71, Grant, LA

Built 2009 Load: 74.5 t ADT: 200

LA0122

Good

Over: DRAIN

10.9 M E OF E JCT LA 471, Grant, LA

Built 1999 Load: 74.5 t ADT: 683

Rob Wallace Rd

Good

Over: CREEK

0.64 MI. NORTH OF LA 8, Grant, LA

Built 1993 Load: 74.5 t ADT: 50

River Rd

Good

Over: UNNAMED CREEK

2.21 MI. WEST OF US 71, Grant, LA

Built 2003 Load: 74.5 t ADT: 100

LA0478

Good

Over: BAYOU DEMUSE RELIEF

2.33 MI. WEST OF LA 117, Natchitoches, LA

Built 1996 Load: 74.5 t ADT: 60

LA0118

Good

Over: UNNAMED CREEK

1.9 MI. EAST LA 117, Natchitoches, LA

Built 1998 Load: 74.5 t ADT: 164

LA1221

Good

Over: WHITLOCK CREEK

0.29 MI. NORTH OF LA 120, Natchitoches, LA

Built 1993 Load: 74.5 t ADT: 96

LA1221

Good

Over: HASKIN CREEK

1.55 MI. NORTH OF LA 120, Natchitoches, LA

Built 1993 Load: 74.5 t ADT: 96

LA0008

Good

Over: DRAIN

1.5 MI. EAST OF LA 119, Rapides, LA

Built 1996 Load: 74.5 t ADT: 1,456

LA0028

Good

Over: DRAIN

4.04 MI. WEST OF LA 3054, Rapides, LA

Built 1997 Load: 74.5 t ADT: 9,482

LA0028

Good

Over: DRAIN

3.6 MI. WEST OF LA 3054, Rapides, LA

Built 1997 Load: 74.5 t ADT: 9,482

LA0028

Good

Over: TIGER BAYOU

3.43 MI. WEST OF LA 3054, Rapides, LA

Built 1997 Load: 74.5 t ADT: 9,482

LA0028

Good

Over: TIGER BAYOU

3.34 MI. WEST OF LA 3054, Rapides, LA

Built 1997 Load: 74.5 t ADT: 9,482

LA0028

Good

Over: DRAIN

2.28 MI. WEST OF LA 3054, Rapides, LA

Built 1997 Load: 74.5 t ADT: 9,482

LA0028

Good

Over: DRAIN

2.0 MI. WEST OF LA 3054, Rapides, LA

Built 1997 Load: 74.5 t ADT: 9,482

LA0028

Good

Over: DRAIN

1.62 MI. WEST OF LA 3054, Rapides, LA

Built 1997 Load: 74.5 t ADT: 9,482

LA0028

Good

Over: DRAIN

1.43 MI. WEST OF LA 3054, Rapides, LA

Built 1997 Load: 74.5 t ADT: 9,482

LA0028

Good

Over: DRAIN

0.69 MI. WEST OF LA 3054, Rapides, LA

Built 1997 Load: 74.5 t ADT: 9,482

OAK ST

Good

Over: CREEK

0.53 MI. EAST OF US 171 B, Sabine, LA

Built 2010 Load: 74.5 t ADT: 760

LA0028

Good

Over: CYPRESS BAYOU

3.9 MI. EAST OF LA 465, Vernon, LA

Built 2013 Load: 74.5 t ADT: 6,952

LA0010

Good

Over: TEN MILE CREEK TRIB.

3.64 MI. EAST OF LA 377, Vernon, LA

Built 1941 Load: 74.5 t ADT: 2,773

LA0111

Good

Over: DRAIN

.71 MI E OF W JCT LA 392, Vernon, LA

Built 1999 Load: 74.5 t ADT: 801

LA0111

Good

Over: BLUE CREEK

1.4 M. W. E. JCT. LA 392, Vernon, LA

Built 1995 Load: 74.5 t ADT: 801

LA0111

Good

Over: LITTLE SANDY CREEK

.28 M. E. E. JCT. LA 392, Vernon, LA

Built 1994 Load: 74.5 t ADT: 937

LA0111

Good

Over: DRAIN

1.0 MI. EAST OF LA 392, Vernon, LA

Built 1995 Load: 74.5 t ADT: 937

LA0111

Good

Over: DRAIN

1.3 MI. EAST OF LA 392, Vernon, LA

Built 1995 Load: 74.5 t ADT: 937

LA0111

Good

Over: FRANKLIN BRANCH

0.5 MI. WEST OF US 171, Vernon, LA

Built 1995 Load: 74.5 t ADT: 937

LA0111

Good

Over: UNNAMED BRANCH

1.04 MI EAST JCT US 171, Vernon, LA

Built 1997 Load: 74.5 t ADT: 937

LA0392

Good

Over: BRUSHY CREEK

0.1 MILE SOUTH OF US 171, Vernon, LA

Built 1986 Load: 74.5 t ADT: 475

LA0465

Good

Over: BLACKJACK BRANCH

.6 M E OF JCT LA 117, Vernon, LA

Built 2000 Load: 74.5 t ADT: 115

LA0465

Good

Over: MAYHAW BRANCH

2.32 M. E. OF LA 117, Vernon, LA

Built 2000 Load: 74.5 t ADT: 115

LA0465

Good

Over: UNNAMED BRANCH

0.24 MI. EAST OF LA 489, Vernon, LA

Built 1994 Load: 74.5 t ADT: 500

SMITHBROOK RD

Good

Over: COOPER CREEK

0.13 M. N. OF JCT LA 8, Vernon, LA

Built 1989 Load: 74.5 t

LA0127

Good

Over: CREEK

11.4 MI. NW CALDWELL LINE, Winn, LA

Built 2010 Load: 74.5 t ADT: 183

LA0127

Good

Over: CREEK

9.78 MI. NW CALDWELL LINE, Winn, LA

Built 2010 Load: 74.5 t ADT: 183

LA0499

Good

Over: DUG CREEK

2.55 MI N JCT LA 126, Winn, LA

Built 1996 Load: 74.5 t ADT: 114

Showing 11,151-11,200 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.