US Bridges

Fdr 542 over Couley Creek

Fair

Winn Parish, Louisiana · Logmi 0.54 FR 504 to · Structure no. 080604000002436

Built
1965
60 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2024
Type
Channel Beam
Prestressed Concrete
Length
60 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
19
1975 count
Owner
Federal
U.S. Forest Service

About this bridge

Fdr 542 over Couley Creek is a prestressed concrete channel beam carrying Fdr 542 over Couley Creek in Winn 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 6 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 19 vehicles a day, projected to reach 28 by 2045. The structure is 60 ft (18.3 m) long and 17 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesFdr 542
CrossesCouley Creek
LocationLogmi 0.54 FR 504 to
RouteFederal Lands Road 542.2
CountyWinn Parish
StateLouisiana
Coordinates31.8492, -92.84354
Functional classRural 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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionOctober 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating27.9 US tons
Inventory rating19.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeChannel Beam
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckOther
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length60 ft (18.3 m)
Longest span20 ft (6.1 m)
Deck width17 ft (5.1 m)
Roadway width15 ft (4.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic19 (1975)
Projected traffic28 by 2045
Trucks—
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed5 mi (8 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerU.S. Forest Service
Maintained byU.S. Forest Service
Historic statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Fdr 542 over Couley Creek built?

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

What condition is Fdr 542 over Couley 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 October 2024.

How much traffic does Fdr 542 over Couley Creek carry?

About 19 vehicles per day (1975 count).

How long is Fdr 542 over Couley Creek?

The structure is 60 ft (18.3 m) long with a longest span of 20 ft (6.1 m) and a deck 17 ft wide.

Who owns Fdr 542 over Couley Creek?

It is owned by the U.S. Forest Service.