US Bridges

Lookout Road over Drakes Creek

FairPosted for load

Vernon Parish, Louisiana · Ve 851 313 · Structure no. P58-31009930941

Built
1978
47 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2024
Type
Channel Beam
Concrete
Length
120 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
312
2016 count
Owner
Federal
Army

About this bridge

Lookout Road over Drakes Creek is a concrete channel beam carrying Lookout Road over Drakes Creek in Vernon Parish, Louisiana. It was built in 1978, so it is 47 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 312 vehicles a day, roughly 40% of them trucks, projected to reach 350 by 2046. The structure is 120 ft (36.6 m) long and 36 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 8.7 mi (14 km).

Location

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CarriesLookout Road
CrossesDrakes Creek
LocationVe 851 313
CountyVernon Parish
StateLouisiana
Coordinates31.01477, -93.15677
Functional classUrban Local

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.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionAugust 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating16.8 US tons
Inventory rating12.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeChannel Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length120 ft (36.6 m)
Longest span40 ft (12.2 m)
Deck width36 ft (11.1 m)
Roadway width34 ft (10.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic312 (2016)
Projected traffic350 by 2046
Trucks40%
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

OwnerArmy
Maintained byArmy
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedOther structural work, including hydraulic replacements
Estimated improvement cost$33,000 (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Lookout Road over Drakes Creek built?

It was built in 1978, making it 47 years old in 2025.

What condition is Lookout Road over Drakes Creek 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 Lookout Road over Drakes Creek carry?

About 312 vehicles per day (2016 count), of which roughly 40% are trucks.

How long is Lookout Road over Drakes Creek?

The structure is 120 ft (36.6 m) long with a longest span of 40 ft (12.2 m) and a deck 36 ft wide.

Who owns Lookout Road over Drakes Creek?

It is owned by the Army.