US Bridges

LA0478 over Sand Creek

Good

Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana · 0.83 Miles East of LA 120 · Structure no. 083501160400741

Built
1996
29 years old
Condition
Good
inspected March 2024
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
100 ft
5 main spans
Daily traffic
172
2021 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

LA0478 over Sand Creek is a concrete slab carrying LA0478 over Sand Creek in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana. It was built in 1996, so it is 29 years old, younger than the Louisiana average of 43 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in good condition with a lowest component rating of 7 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 172 vehicles a day, roughly 14% of them trucks, projected to reach 189 by 2041. The structure is 100 ft (30.5 m) long and 33 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 8.7 mi (14 km).

CarriesLA0478
CrossesSand Creek
Location0.83 Miles East of LA 120
RouteState Highway 478
Coordinates31.62424, -93.0965
Functional classRural Minor Collector

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionMarch 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating89.9 US tons
Inventory rating54 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans5
Design loadHS 20
Structure length100 ft (30.5 m)
Longest span20 ft (6.1 m)
Deck width33 ft (10 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic172 (2021)
Projected traffic189 by 2041
Trucks14%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed8.7 mi (14 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was LA0478 over Sand Creek built?

It was built in 1996, making it 29 years old in 2025.

What condition is LA0478 over Sand Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in March 2024.

How much traffic does LA0478 over Sand Creek carry?

About 172 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 14% are trucks.

How long is LA0478 over Sand Creek?

The structure is 100 ft (30.5 m) long with a longest span of 20 ft (6.1 m) and a deck 33 ft wide.

Who owns LA0478 over Sand Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.