US Bridges

LA0070 over Mississippi River

Fair

St. James Parish, Louisiana · LA0070 · Structure no. 614704260200721

Built
1963
62 years old, rebuilt 2004
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2024
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
9,102 ft
48 main spans
Daily traffic
17,100
2016 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

LA0070 over Mississippi River is a steel truss - thru carrying LA0070 over Mississippi River in St. James Parish, Louisiana. It was built in 1963 and reconstructed in 2004, so it is 62 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 17,100 vehicles a day, roughly 9% of them trucks, projected to reach 18,810 by 2036. The structure is 9,102 ft (2,774.3 m) long and 57 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 98.8 mi (159 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesLA0070
CrossesMississippi River
LocationLA0070
RouteState Highway 70
CountySt. James Parish
StateLouisiana
Coordinates30.09625, -90.92198
Functional classUrban Other Principal 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.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionAugust 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourCountermeasures installed to correct a previously existing problem
Structural evaluation2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating18.2 US tons
Inventory rating14.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans48 (+15 approach)
Design loadHS 20
Structure length9,102 ft (2,774.3 m)
Longest span825 ft (251.5 m)
Deck width57 ft (17.3 m)
Roadway width56 ft (17.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deck16 ft (4.8 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic17,100 (2016)
Projected traffic18,810 by 2036
Trucks9%
Lanes on structure4
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesHighway, waterway and railroad
Detour if closed98.8 mi (159 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusEligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$49.7 million
NavigationNavigation control on waterway (bridge permit required)

Frequently asked questions

When was LA0070 over Mississippi River built?

It was built in 1963, making it 62 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2004.

What condition is LA0070 over Mississippi River 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 August 2024.

How much traffic does LA0070 over Mississippi River carry?

About 17,100 vehicles per day (2016 count), of which roughly 9% are trucks.

How long is LA0070 over Mississippi River?

The structure is 9,102 ft (2,774.3 m) long with a longest span of 825 ft (251.5 m) and a deck 57 ft wide.

Who owns LA0070 over Mississippi River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.