Bayou Macon Bridge

I was there a few weeks ago. The portion that has collapsed on the west side isn't technically over the bayou, but it has nonetheless rendered the bridge impassable. The deck is not in great condition, but it is not difficult to access from the eastern side.

I was just there! I grew up riding across this bridge from my dad’s best friends place off Hwy 17 and his family along Baskin Parks Rd and Hwy 577. I know the bridge was still operational in 1992 when I visited.

I have been doing genealogy work for my Great G’Pa Alonzo Carlos Carter, who was the ferryman for that crossing from 1929 to 1941. I am trying to locate “The Old Homestead House” and property he held during those years. I would love to hear from anyone who might be able to help me with that!

As for the bridge, it is currently blocked on the Martin Rd side by a huge pile of dirt and completely overgrown. You can catch glimpses of it from the yard of the wonderfully welcoming neighbor closest to the bridge. On the Baskin Parks are side, it is impossible to tell how the bridge is blocked due to the copious overgrowth. The bridge itself is far less visible from this side.

Hope this helps answer some of your questions!

Delightful surprise to come across these pics when searching for LA bayou bridges for a pic background! Not sure if this is known or not but thought I'd add to this discussion about the bridge. I grew up about a stone throw away from the bridge only to now live about a mile from it today. I can't tell you about the reason for the bridge without talking to my dad who has lived a mile away from the bridge since a SR in high school(now 77).I can tell you though that the majority of the traffic seemed to be residents in the community(Madison Parish & Franklin Parish sides)as a great shortcut to the surrounding towns. During my school days there were lots of kids from Madison parish going to Franklin schools. Also farmers(my dad being one) frequented the bridge traveling between properties in each parish.

I'll have to ask & get back here about exact yr of closure. The bridge had some damage but was still in use when members of community went to FP police jury meeting to ask for it to be repaired. They were told it would be a waste of money. Community in an act of getting the repairs went to next meeting & told of fear of people getting hurt going over because of damage but still passible. Next day parish was there and MADE the bridge impassable!I also have a good lil story about my dad's cotton picker driver being scared to death about crossing that bridge & his fears coming to life one day but I'll save that one for anybody that wants to hear it one day. It's not mentioned here but the really great history within a mile of this bridge are historically marked Indian mounds. One of a decent size. As far as I know my dad & a lady down the road have lived in this one mile radius the longest. I've heard many stories of a low water bridge just about spitting distance from this bridge. Dad says remnants were still there about 10yrs ago. Would love the history on that bridge. If I wasn't so dang impatient I'd love to write & document all my dad's stories about this area & community he grew up in. Hope you enjoyed & i didn't ramble too much! Attached pic is from the Bayou a couple of yrs ago.

NBI shows open in 2000, closed in 2004.

As you can see, the bridge is closed to all traffic. It is not intact, as the west end of the bridge collapsed. It appears to have been closed many years. Such a shame to see such a beautiful bridge go to waste.

Wish I was closer and could check out this bridge! IDK if it is open or not; Historic Aerials seems to show it open in 1994. Hard to tell after that. Seems like an odd place to build a bridge in the 1960s, though I suppose I could see a need for a cut-across between 17 and 577.