LA0070 over Panama Canal

Fair

Ascension Parish, Louisiana · LA3089 · Structure no. 610304260301921

Built: 1966; 59 years old
Condition: Fair; inspected July 2024
Type: Slab; Concrete
Length: 140 ft; 7 main spans
Daily traffic: 24,210; 2021 count
Owner: State; State Highway Agency

About this bridge

LA0070 over Panama Canal is a concrete slab carrying LA0070 over Panama Canal in Ascension Parish, Louisiana. It was built in 1966, so it is 59 years old, older than the Louisiana average of 43 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in fair condition with a lowest component rating of 5 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

It carries about 24,210 vehicles a day, roughly 17% of them trucks, projected to reach 26,631 by 2041. The structure is 140 ft (42.7 m) long and 56 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

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CarriesLA0070

CrossesPanama Canal

LocationLA3089

RouteState Highway 70

CountyAscension Parish

StateLouisiana

Coordinates30.14951, -90.87429

Functional classRural Principal Arterial - Other

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

Component	Rating	Meaning
Deck	7 Good	Some minor problems.
Superstructure	7 Good	Some minor problems.
Substructure	5 Fair	All primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection	8 Very Good	No problems noted.

Last inspectionJuly 2024

Inspection intervalevery 24 months

Operating statusOpen, no restriction

ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles

Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is

Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria

Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria

Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria

Operating rating79 US tons

Inventory rating48 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab

MaterialConcrete

DeckConcrete, cast-in-place

Main spans7

Design loadHS 20

Structure length140 ft (42.7 m)

Longest span20 ft (6.1 m)

Deck width56 ft (17.2 m)

Roadway width53 ft (16.3 m)

Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic24,210 (2021)

Projected traffic26,631 by 2041

Trucks17%

Lanes on structure3

Traffic directionTwo-way traffic

CarriesHighway

CrossesWaterway

Detour if closed5 mi (8 km)

TollOn a free road

National Highway SystemYes

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency

Maintained byState Highway Agency

Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places

Work proposedNone recorded

Estimated improvement cost—

NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was LA0070 over Panama Canal built?

It was built in 1966, making it 59 years old in 2025.

What condition is LA0070 over Panama Canal in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in fair condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. The last reported inspection was in July 2024.

How much traffic does LA0070 over Panama Canal carry?

About 24,210 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 17% are trucks.

How long is LA0070 over Panama Canal?

The structure is 140 ft (42.7 m) long with a longest span of 20 ft (6.1 m) and a deck 56 ft wide.

Who owns LA0070 over Panama Canal?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.