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

LA0004

Fair

Over: LOST CREEK

1.5 MI WEST OFLA 846, Caldwell, LA

Built 1978 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 311

LA0004

Fair

Over: CREEK

1.3 MI WEST OF LA 3239, Caldwell, LA

Built 1978 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 1,931

LA0126

Fair

Over: CREEK

9.1 MI W OF LA 3239, Caldwell, LA

Built 1974 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 611

LA0126

Fair

Over: CREEK

8.9 MI W OF LA 3239, Caldwell, LA

Built 1974 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 611

LA0126

Fair

Over: MESSER CREEK

6.0 MI W OF LA 3239, Caldwell, LA

Built 1977 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 611

LA0127

Fair

Over: CASTOR CR RELIEF

3.3 MI N OF LA 125, Caldwell, LA

Built 1972 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 314

LA0127

Fair

Over: CASTOR RELIEF

3.5 MI NORTH OF LA 125, Caldwell, LA

Built 1972 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 314

LA0506

Fair

Over: CASTOR CREEK

6.4 MI WEST OF US 165, Caldwell, LA

Built 1975 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 306

LA0913

Fair

Over: NORRIS SPRINGS

0.78 M S of LA 915, Catahoula, LA

Built 1983 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 514

LA0126

Fair

Over: ROCKY CREEK

1.8 MI S OF LA 459, Catahoula, LA

Built 1981 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 544

LA0126

Fair

Over: CREEK

2.4 MI SOUTH OF LA 8, Catahoula, LA

Built 1974 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 878

LA0126

Fair

Over: SANDY LAKE BAYOU

2.8 MI SOUTH OF LA 8, Catahoula, LA

Built 1974 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 878

LA0921

Fair

Over: CASH BAYOU

.5 MI S OF LA 567, Catahoula, LA

Built 1970 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 145

LA0923

Fair

Over: ELM SLOUGH

1.71 MI S OF LA 126, Catahoula, LA

Built 1976 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 997

LA0923

Fair

Over: WALLACE RIDGE

.36 MI NORTH OF LA 126, Catahoula, LA

Built 1980 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 550

LA0923

Fair

Over: BAYOU

.7 MI NORTH OF LA 126, Catahoula, LA

Built 1976 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 550

LA0923

Fair

Over: BAYOU

1.0 MI NORTH OF LA 126, Catahoula, LA

Built 1979 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 550

LA0015

Fair

Over: CREEK

8.69 MI EAST OF LA 910, Concordia, LA

Built 1980 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 399

LA0566

Fair

Over: CANEY BAYOU

0.17 M N of US 84, Concordia, LA

Built 1985 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 74

LA0015

Fair

Over: PINE BAYOU CANAL

.2 MI NORTH OF LA 857, Franklin, LA

Built 1988 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 9,661

LA0135

Fair

Over: PRICKET BAYOU

1.20 M N of LA 4, Franklin, LA

Built 1984 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 698

LA0857

Fair

Over: TURKEY CREEK CUTOFF

.84 MI EAST OF US 425, Franklin, LA

Built 1984 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 1,833

LA0562

Fair

Over: CREEK

.35 MI EAST OF LA 15, Franklin, LA

Built 1978 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 90

LA0562

Fair

Over: DEER CREEK

1.5 MI EAST OF LA 15, Franklin, LA

Built 1978 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 90

LA0562

Fair

Over: DEER CREEK CUT-OFF

2.8 MI EAST OF LA 15, Franklin, LA

Built 1978 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 240

LA0875

Fair

Over: CREEK

.6 MI WEST OF LA 562, Franklin, LA

Built 1974 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 44

LA0866

Fair

Over: DRAINAGE CANAL

.9 MI EAST OF LA 3210, Franklin, LA

Built 1984 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 165

LA0572

Fair

Over: DEER CREEK

.17 MI EAST OF LA 4, Franklin, LA

Built 1974 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 265

LA3201

Fair

Over: WINNSBORO DRAINAGE CANAL

0.25 M W of LA 865, Franklin, LA

Built 1982 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 3,772

LA0772

Fair

Over: GREENS CREEK

4.00 M E of US 84, LaSalle, LA

Built 1983 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 116

LA0772

Fair

Over: TROUT CREEK RELIEF

0.75 M N of LA 8, LaSalle, LA

Built 1982 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 396

LA0772

Fair

Over: TROUT CREEK

0.75 M N of LA 8, LaSalle, LA

Built 1982 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 396

LA0126

Fair

Over: CREEK

3.1 MI NORTH OF LA 124, LaSalle, LA

Built 1978 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 117

LA0460

Fair

Over: GRAY CREEK

4.4 MI EAST OF LA 127, LaSalle, LA

Built 1974 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 776

LA0459

Fair

Over: HAIRS CREEK

1.60 M N of US 84, LaSalle, LA

Built 1983 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 1,160

LA0459

Fair

Over: BRUSHLEY CREEK

10.1 MI NORTH OS US 84, LaSalle, LA

Built 1981 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 1,160

LA0770

Fair

Over: LITTLE CHICKSAW

1.4 MI WEST OF LA 127, LaSalle, LA

Built 1984 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 129

LA0773

Fair

Over: CREEK

.5 MI NORTH OF LA 774, LaSalle, LA

Built 1981 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 1,537

LA3071

Fair

Over: ROCKY CREEK

2.9 MI EAST OF LA 503, LaSalle, LA

Built 1979 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 429

LA3259

Fair

Over: CREEK

.7 MI SOUTH OF LA 125, LaSalle, LA

Built 1977 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 1,236

LA0892

Fair

Over: VAN BUREN BAYOU

.01 MI EAST OF LA 3024, Tensas, LA

Built 1976 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 109

LA0888

Fair

Over: GLADE BAYOU

.85 MI NORTH OF LA 4, Tensas, LA

Built 1972 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 128

I0010

Fair

Over: LA429/Cornerview Rd

2.2 Mi. E. of LA 73, Ascension, LA

Built 1975 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 60,802

LA0070

Fair

Over: GRAND BAYOU

LA0070, Assumption, LA

Built 1958 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 5,760

LA0996

Fair

Over: BAYOU CREAUX

LA0966, Assumption, LA

Built 1973 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 524

LA0996

Fair

Over: BRUSLY ST.MARTIN C.

LA0996, Assumption, LA

Built 1973 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 524

I0010

Fair

Over: PERKINS RD. ON RAMP

I0010, East Baton Rouge, LA

Built 1964 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 8,250

LA0422

Fair

Over: LITTLE COMITE CREEK

LA0422, East Feliciana, LA

Built 1979 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 153

LA0422

Fair

Over: COMITE CREEK

LA0422, East Feliciana, LA

Built 1979 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 153

LA0957

Fair

Over: OLIVE BRANCH

0.6 M S of LA 955&LA 957, East Feliciana, LA

Built 1981 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 1,193

Showing 4,901-4,950 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.