US Bridges

LA0020 over Drain Canal

Fair

St. James Parish, Louisiana · LA0020 · Structure no. 614700650700001

Built
1965
60 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
76 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
8,204
2021 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

LA0020 over Drain Canal is a concrete slab carrying LA0020 over Drain Canal in St. James Parish, Louisiana. It was built in 1965, so it is 60 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 8,204 vehicles a day, roughly 18% of them trucks, projected to reach 9,024 by 2041. The structure is 76 ft (23.2 m) long and 29 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 98.8 mi (159 km).

Location

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CarriesLA0020
CrossesDrain Canal
LocationLA0020
RouteState Highway 20
CountySt. James Parish
StateLouisiana
Coordinates29.90536, -90.73183
Functional classRural Minor Arterial

Condition and inspection

Fair

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

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionDecember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating27.4 US tons
Inventory rating20 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans4
Design loadHS 20
Structure length76 ft (23.2 m)
Longest span19 ft (5.8 m)
Deck width29 ft (8.7 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic8,204 (2021)
Projected traffic9,024 by 2041
Trucks18%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed98.8 mi (159 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$393,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was LA0020 over Drain Canal built?

It was built in 1965, making it 60 years old in 2025.

What condition is LA0020 over Drain 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 December 2023.

How much traffic does LA0020 over Drain Canal carry?

About 8,204 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 18% are trucks.

How long is LA0020 over Drain Canal?

The structure is 76 ft (23.2 m) long with a longest span of 19 ft (5.8 m) and a deck 29 ft wide.

Who owns LA0020 over Drain Canal?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.