US Bridges

LA0473 over Bayou Toro

Poor

Sabine Parish, Louisiana · 1.6 MI East of LA 191 · Structure no. 084303570101601

Built
1986
39 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected May 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Prestressed Concrete Continuous
Length
852 ft
17 main spans
Daily traffic
738
2021 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

LA0473 over Bayou Toro is a prestressed concrete continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying LA0473 over Bayou Toro in Sabine Parish, Louisiana. It was built in 1986, so it is 39 years old, younger than the Louisiana average of 43 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 3 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

It carries about 738 vehicles a day, roughly 14% of them trucks, projected to reach 811 by 2041. The structure is 852 ft (259.7 m) long and 33 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 36 mi (58 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesLA0473
CrossesBayou Toro
Location1.6 MI East of LA 191
RouteState Highway 473
CountySabine Parish
StateLouisiana
Coordinates31.30881, -93.5163
Functional classRural Minor Collector

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure3 SeriousLoss of section, deterioration, spalling or scour have seriously affected primary structural components.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionMay 2024
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating48.6 US tons
Inventory rating35.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialPrestressed Concrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans17
Design loadHS 20
Structure length852 ft (259.7 m)
Longest span50 ft (15.2 m)
Deck width33 ft (10.1 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic738 (2021)
Projected traffic811 by 2041
Trucks14%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed36 mi (58 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$3.4 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was LA0473 over Bayou Toro built?

It was built in 1986, making it 39 years old in 2025.

What condition is LA0473 over Bayou Toro in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in May 2024.

How much traffic does LA0473 over Bayou Toro carry?

About 738 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 14% are trucks.

How long is LA0473 over Bayou Toro?

The structure is 852 ft (259.7 m) long with a longest span of 50 ft (15.2 m) and a deck 33 ft wide.

Who owns LA0473 over Bayou Toro?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.