US0090/RAMP A

US0090/RAMP A carries traffic over US 90 in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana. Built in 1977, this structure is 49 years old, placing it among the older bridges still in active service. The bridge features steel construction with a stringer/multi-beam or girder design, a combination chosen by engineers to meet the specific requirements of this crossing.

Approximately 12,192 vehicles cross this bridge daily, representing moderate traffic volumes typical of important regional connectors. This level of usage requires regular monitoring to ensure continued safe operation. Commercial trucks account for 10% of all crossings. This proportion of commercial traffic is typical for this roadway classification and is factored into the bridge's design load ratings.

The bridge is currently rated in fair condition based on federal inspection criteria established by the Federal Highway Administration. The structure meets current safety standards for its designated use and load capacity. With a total length of 144 feet, this structure falls within the typical range requiring standard inspection procedures conducted by certified bridge inspectors.

Steel bridges provide high strength-to-weight ratios, making them suitable for longer spans. However, they require ongoing protection against corrosion through painting or weathering steel designs. Inspectors pay close attention to connection points, fatigue cracking, and coating condition.

Federal law requires that all highway bridges be inspected at least every 24 months by qualified inspectors following the National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS). Some bridges with known issues or unusual characteristics may be inspected more frequently. Inspection data is reported to the National Bridge Inventory, a database maintained by the Federal Highway Administration that tracks the condition of all public highway bridges in the United States. This bridge data is sourced from that federal database and reflects the most recent available inspection results.