Louisiana’s Worst Bridges: A 2025 Guide to Safety, Wrecks, and Repairs

Louisiana is a land of beautiful bayous, rivers, and lakes. Because we have so much water, we need a lot of bridges to get around. Bridges are like giant puzzles that engineers build to keep us moving.

Bridges are much more than just roads over water; they are the heart of Louisiana’s economy. They allow big trucks to carry goods like food, fuel, and supplies to our stores and then out to the rest of the country. Our state is a global leader in ports and waterways, and bridges connect these vital areas so our farmers and industries can “feed and fuel the world”. Without these bridges, it would be much harder and more expensive to buy the things we need every day.

Driving on bridges can be tricky, and unfortunately, many accidents happen there. Between 2023 and 2025, Louisiana saw many reported wrecks. The most common types of accidents are rear-end crashes, where one car hits another from behind, and side-swipe accidents, where two cars scrape against each other while driving side-by-side.

These wrecks can be very serious, especially when big trucks are involved. For example, some people have suffered major injuries in rear-end truck wrecks, leading to settlements as high as $8.75 million to help them recover. Learn more about Chris Corzo Injury Attorneys settlements over the years here.

Why do Wrecks Happen on Bridges?

There are a few reasons why bridges can be dangerous places to drive:

• Narrow Lanes and No Shoulders: Many of our older bridges are very tight and do not have a “shoulder” or extra space to pull over if a car breaks down. Chris explained this further in his article on the most common wrecks on the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge.
• Weather and Visibility: Places like the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge often get thick fog and mist, making it very hard for drivers to see what is ahead.
• Speeding: Even though there are speed limits, many drivers still go too fast, which makes it harder to stop in time. A new left lane law increased fines for drivers who violate the speed limit on Louisiana roads.
• Bridge Openings: Some bridges must open to let big ships pass. When this happens, traffic has to stop suddenly, which often causes rear-end collisions.

Top 10 Worst Bridges in Louisiana (2025)

According to the American Road and Transportation Builders Association report, many of Louisiana’s bridges are “structurally deficient,” which means they are old and need a lot of repairs to stay safe. Here are ten that drivers should know:

1. Calcasieu River Bridge (I-10): Located in Lake Charles and built in 1952, it is very steep and narrow. It was only supposed to last 50 years, but it is still used by 90,000 cars a day.
2. Jimmie Davis Bridge (LA 511): This bridge connects Bossier City to Shreveport. It is old, rusty, and so narrow that any small accident causes a giant traffic jam.
3. Huey P. Long—O.K. Allen Bridge (US 190): This Baton Rouge bridge was built in 1940. It is very old and has narrow lanes and steep ramps that are hard for modern cars to navigate.
4. I-10 Bridge over Veterans Memorial Highway: Located near Metairie, this is one of the busiest bridges in the state, carrying 178,000 vehicles every day.
5. Atchafalaya Basin Bridge (I-10): This is one of the longest bridges in the country. It is famous for being scary because it has no shoulders and is often very foggy.
6. Shreveport-Barksdale Bridge (LA 71): Built in 1963, this bridge is used by many people going to the Air Force Base, but its deck is wearing out.
7. Pontchartrain Causeway: This is the world’s longest bridge over water. It can be scary because for 8 miles in the middle, you can’t see any land at all!
8. Intracoastal Waterway Bridge (LA 1): Located in Port Allen, this bridge opens frequently for boats, which stops traffic and causes many rear-end wrecks.
9. Sunshine Bridge (LA 70): This bridge in Donaldsonville is a vital link for the oil and gas industry, but it was badly damaged by a barge strike in 2018.
10. Belle Chasse Tunnel and Bridge (LA 23): This is a strange combo of a tunnel and a lift bridge that often gets stuck or floods during heavy rain.

2026-2027 Highway Priority Program

The good news is that the state is working hard to fix these problems! The 2026-2027 Highway Priority Program is a plan to spend $1.2 billion on our roads and bridges.

The state plans to work on 302 projects, including building a brand-new bridge for the I-10 Calcasieu River crossing and a new Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge. They are also using a “Bridge Bundling Program” to fix many small rural bridges all at once to save time and money.

What to do if a Wreck Happens on a Bridge

If you are ever in an accident on a bridge, stay calm and follow these steps:

1. Call 9-1-1 immediately, especially if someone is hurt or the cars are blocking traffic.
2. Report the crash to the police if there is more than $500 in damage.
3. Take photos of the cars, the damage, and the area where it happened.
4. Exchange information with the other driver, like their name and insurance.

Accidents on bridges can be scary and confusing, and insurance companies often try to pay as little as possible. That is why it is important to have a “People’s Champion” on your side who knows how to fight for what you deserve.

In case of a wreck, call Corzo.