CHATAIGNIER – The Post Office here is one of about 3,700 being evaluated nation-wide as the U.S. Postal Service struggles with an $8 billion loss.

According to the Postal Service, 51 facilities in Louisiana could close if they don’t pass evaluation muster.

In addition to the one here, there are post offices in Lafayette, Avery Island, two i Alexandria and New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lake Charles and other locales being studied.

“We’re losing $23-million a day.” USPS Spokesman Earl Artis says, “with numbers like that, you need to find ways to save money and still provide service to customers.”

In addition to studying the closings, the Postal Service has asked Congress for permission to eliminate Saturday delivery, which it says would save about $3 billion a year.