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

I0020

Fair

Over: PATRICK CREEK

3.1 MI EAST OF US 80, Ouachita, LA

Built 1964 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 40,857

I0020

Fair

Over: CREEK

3.1 MI EAST OF US 80, Ouachita, LA

Built 1964 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 40,857

I0020

Fair

Over: CREEK

4.4 MI EAST OF US 80, Ouachita, LA

Built 1964 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 40,857

I0020

Fair

Over: CREEK

4.4 MI EAST OF US 80, Ouachita, LA

Built 1964 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 40,857

I0020

Fair

Over: STEEP BAYOU

1.6 MI EAST OF LA 546, Ouachita, LA

Built 1963 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 61,935

I0020

Fair

Over: E YOUNGS BAYOU

.3 MI EAST OF US 165, Ouachita, LA

Built 1965 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 84,225

I0020

Fair

Over: GOURD BAYOU

7.1 MI EAST OF US 165, Ouachita, LA

Built 1968 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 43,420

LA0617

Fair

Over: DRAINAGE CANAL

1.65 MI NORTH OF I-20, Ouachita, LA

Built 1981 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 26,528

BASCO LANE

Fair

Over: CALLOWAY DITCH

1.62 MI E of US 165 S, Ouachita, LA

Built 2005 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 75

DOWNING PINES RD

Fair

Over: CREEK

0.26 MI SW of I-20, Ouachita, LA

Built 2002 Load: 32.4 t

MANE ST

Fair

Over: HORSE CREEK

0.15 MI SW of I-20, Ouachita, LA

Built 2000 Load: 32.4 t

STUBBS AVE

Fair

Over: WEST PRONG YOUNGS BAYOU

STUBBS ST MONROE, Ouachita, LA

Built 1962 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 1,200

WASHINGTON ST

Fair

Over: DRAINAGE CANAL

WASHINGTON ST. MONRO, Ouachita, LA

Built 1974 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 2,000

LA0134

Fair

Over: HEGWOOD BAYOU

1.7 MI E MOREHOUSE PAR LN, Richland, LA

Built 2010 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 473

LA0854

Fair

Over: CREEK

1.61 MI E OF LA 183, Richland, LA

Built 2016 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 529

US0080

Fair

Over: DRAIN

3.3 MI EAST OF LA 609, Richland, LA

Built 1953 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 1,451

US0080

Fair

Over: DRAIN

3.8 MI EAST OF LA 609, Richland, LA

Built 1930 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 1,451

LA0015

Fair

Over: DRAIN

1.77 MI WEST OF LA 137, Richland, LA

Built 1938 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 2,198

LA0015

Fair

Over: CANEY BAYOU

2.30 MI WEST OF LA 137, Richland, LA

Built 1938 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 2,198

LA0017

Fair

Over: BOGZACK CREEK

.3 MI SOUTH OF LA 877, Richland, LA

Built 1971 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 3,890

LA0137

Fair

Over: CREEK

5.0 MI NORTH OF US 80, Richland, LA

Built 1971 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 1,954

LA0183

Fair

Over: CREEK

3.1 MI NORTH OF LA 854, Richland, LA

Built 1953 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 1,098

LA0183

Fair

Over: CREEK

7.4 MI NORTH OF LA 854, Richland, LA

Built 1953 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 969

I0020

Fair

Over: DRAIN

.24 MI EAST OF LA 133, Richland, LA

Built 1968 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 38,890

I0020

Fair

Over: DRAIN

5.3 MI EAST OF LA 133, Richland, LA

Built 1968 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 38,890

I0020

Fair

Over: BURNS BAYOU

1.5 MI EAST OF LA 137, Richland, LA

Built 1969 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 38,890

I0020

Fair

Over: DRAIN

2.2 MI EAST OF LA 137, Richland, LA

Built 1969 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 38,890

I0020

Fair

Over: COW BAYOU

.3 MI EAST OF LA 583, Richland, LA

Built 1969 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 38,890

I0020

Fair

Over: HURRICANE BAYOU

3.2 MI EAST OF LA 583, Richland, LA

Built 1969 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 38,890

I0020

Fair

Over: DRAINAGE

3.6 MI EAST OF LA 583, Richland, LA

Built 1971 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 38,890

I0020

Fair

Over: ASH SLOUGH

1.0 MI EAST OF LA 609, Richland, LA

Built 1970 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 38,890

LA0856

Fair

Over: DRAIN

LA0856, Richland, LA

Built 1985 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 1,064

CHINA GROVE RD

Fair

Over: MUDDY BAYOU

0.1 MI E of LA 135, Richland, LA

Built 1996 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 40

CRAWFORD RD

Fair

Over: SHIERS CREEK

1.2 MI N of LA 856, Richland, LA

Built 1996 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 360

BULLY SMITH RD

Fair

Over: CREEK

2.2 MI SE of LA 584, Richland, LA

Built 1994 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 70

US0167

Fair

Over: CREEK

1.7 MI NORTH OF ALT LA 2, Union, LA

Built 1924 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 422

US0167

Fair

Over: CREEK

5.3 MI NORTH OF LA 15, Union, LA

Built 1925 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 422

LA0033

Fair

Over: CREEK

2.5 MI NORTH OF LA 151, Union, LA

Built 1937 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 5,013

LA0033

Fair

Over: CREEK

3.5 MI NORTH OF LA 151, Union, LA

Built 1937 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 5,862

LA0002

Fair

Over: CREEK

3.0 MI WEST OF US 167, Union, LA

Built 1950 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 886

LA0002

Fair

Over: CREEK

6.7 MI EAST OF LA 550, Union, LA

Built 1975 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 2,579

LA0002

Fair

Over: CREEK

2.6 MI EAST OF LA 33, Union, LA

Built 1931 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 6,218

LA0002

Fair

Over: HORSE.PEN CREEK

5.6 MI EAST OF LA 33, Union, LA

Built 1931 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 6,236

LA0002

Fair

Over: CREEK

3.6 MI EAST OF LA 143, Union, LA

Built 1931 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 6,258

LA0015

Fair

Over: HUNNICUTT CREEK

1.3 MI NORTH OF LA 549, Union, LA

Built 1953 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 5,557

LA0015

Fair

Over: CREEK

4.4 MI NORTH OF LA 549, Union, LA

Built 1953 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 5,557

LA0015

Fair

Over: HORSE TROUGH CREEK

6.2 MI NORTH OF LA 549, Union, LA

Built 1955 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 5,557

LA0015

Fair

Over: CYPRESS CREEK

8.2 MI NORTH OF LA 549, Union, LA

Built 1955 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 5,557

LA0015

Fair

Over: CAMP CREEK

3.0 MI NORTH OF LA 550, Union, LA

Built 1955 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 2,423

LA0143

Fair

Over: HOLLMAN CREEK

4.8 MI NORTH OF LA 2, Union, LA

Built 1951 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 2,254

Showing 3,251-3,300 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.