Desha County Bridge Report Card
Desha County scores 87 out of 100 on BridgeLookup's Bridge Condition Exposure Score, based on FHWA National Bridge Inventory records.
Desha County, Arkansas
Desha County has 83 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, with 3 rated poor and 0 rated scour-critical. Its poor-condition share of 3.6% is at or below the 5.4% statewide average. Poor-condition bridges carry about 9,020 daily vehicle crossings.
Quote-Ready Local Facts
Copyable Facts for Reporters
BridgeLookup.com gives Desha County a Bridge Condition Exposure Score of 87/100 (B). The county has 83 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, including 3 in poor condition and 0 rated scour-critical. Poor-condition bridges carry about 9,020 daily vehicle crossings. Poor condition does not mean unsafe; bridges judged unsafe are closed or restricted by transportation agencies.
How the Score Breaks Down
| Factor | Weight | County Value | Penalty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poor-condition bridge share | 40 | 3.6% | 7.2 |
| Poor-condition traffic exposure | 25 | 7.1% of measured traffic | 5.3 |
| Scour-critical bridge share | 20 | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| Average age vs national baseline | 10 | 42 years vs 48 nationally | 0.0 |
| Traffic-data completeness | 5 | 127,838 measured daily crossings | 0.0 |
Score = 100 minus weighted penalties. The score is a comparative research signal, not an official safety rating. Read the full methodology.
County Comparisons
| County Poor-Condition Share | 3.6% |
| State Poor-Condition Share | 5.4% |
| National Poor-Condition Share | 6.7% |
| County Scour-Critical Share | 0.0% |
| Average Bridge Age | 42 years |
| Poor-Condition Traffic Exposure | 9,020 vehicles/day |
Bridges to Watch
Top Bridges to Watch in Desha County
| Bridge | Reason | Condition | Daily Traffic | Year Built |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SH 278-16 Lm 4.38 over Union Pacific R/r | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 6,600 | 1969 |
| US 278-16 Lm 0.38 over Bayou Bartholomew | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 2,400 | 1956 |
| CR 42/gould RD over Canal #81 | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 20 | 1964 |
| US 65-17 Lm 8.10 over Ditch | High traffic | Good | 11,844 | 2004 |
| US 65-17 Lm 5.97 over Ditch | High traffic | Good | 9,647 | 2004 |
| US 65-19 Lm 6.45 over SH 1 And Uprr | High traffic | Good | 8,100 | 1993 |
| US 65-17 Lm 11.91 over Amos Bayou - Desha Co | High traffic | Good | 7,801 | 1936 |
| US 65-17 Lm 4.71 over Ditch | High traffic | Good | 6,466 | 2004 |
| SH 278-16 Lm 2.62 over Black Pond Slough | High traffic | Good | 5,350 | 1980 |
| US 165-04 Lm 1.26 over Canal No. 19 | High traffic | Good | 4,400 | 2003 |
Important safety note
Poor condition does not mean a bridge is unsafe. It means at least one major component has significant deterioration and the bridge is a priority for maintenance, repair, or replacement. Bridges judged unsafe are closed or restricted by transportation agencies.