US Bridges

Christmas Road over Bayou Des Familles

Fair

Jefferson Parish, Louisiana · LA 45 South. Follow Sign · Structure no. 7530001P0000000

Built
1988
37 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2024
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
57 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
300
2019 count
Owner
Federal
National Park Service

About this bridge

Christmas Road over Bayou Des Familles is a concrete slab carrying Christmas Road over Bayou Des Familles in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana. It was built in 1988, so it is 37 years old, younger 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 6 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 300 vehicles a day, roughly 3% of them trucks, projected to reach 330 by 2039. The structure is 57 ft (17.4 m) long and 24 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 29.8 mi (48 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesChristmas Road
CrossesBayou Des Familles
LocationLA 45 South. Follow Sign
RouteFederal Lands Road 0
CountyJefferson Parish
StateLouisiana
Coordinates29.78406, -90.11222
Functional classRural Minor Collector

Condition and inspection

Fair

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

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMay 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating48 US tons
Inventory rating29 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans3
Design loadH 15
Structure length57 ft (17.4 m)
Longest span19 ft (5.8 m)
Deck width24 ft (7.3 m)
Roadway width22 ft (6.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic300 (2019)
Projected traffic330 by 2039
Trucks3%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed29.8 mi (48 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerNational Park Service
Maintained byNational Park Service
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost$35,000 (2022 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Christmas Road over Bayou Des Familles built?

It was built in 1988, making it 37 years old in 2025.

What condition is Christmas Road over Bayou Des Familles 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 May 2024.

How much traffic does Christmas Road over Bayou Des Familles carry?

About 300 vehicles per day (2019 count), of which roughly 3% are trucks.

How long is Christmas Road over Bayou Des Familles?

The structure is 57 ft (17.4 m) long with a longest span of 19 ft (5.8 m) and a deck 24 ft wide.

Who owns Christmas Road over Bayou Des Familles?

It is owned by the National Park Service.