Kern County Bridge Report Card
Kern County scores 82 out of 100 on BridgeLookup's Bridge Condition Exposure Score, based on FHWA National Bridge Inventory records.
Kern County, California
Kern County has 668 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, with 37 rated poor and 4 rated scour-critical. Its poor-condition share of 5.5% is above the 4.9% statewide average. Poor-condition bridges carry about 436,310 daily vehicle crossings.
Quote-Ready Local Facts
Copyable Facts for Reporters
BridgeLookup.com gives Kern County a Bridge Condition Exposure Score of 82/100 (B). The county has 668 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, including 37 in poor condition and 4 rated scour-critical. Poor-condition bridges carry about 436,310 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 | 5.5% | 11.1 |
| Poor-condition traffic exposure | 25 | 4.9% of measured traffic | 3.7 |
| Scour-critical bridge share | 20 | 0.6% | 1.2 |
| Average age vs national baseline | 10 | 53 years vs 48 nationally | 2.1 |
| Traffic-data completeness | 5 | 8,857,531 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 | 5.5% |
| State Poor-Condition Share | 4.9% |
| National Poor-Condition Share | 6.7% |
| County Scour-Critical Share | 0.6% |
| Average Bridge Age | 53 years |
| Poor-Condition Traffic Exposure | 436,310 vehicles/day |
Bridges to Watch
Top Bridges to Watch in Kern County
| Bridge | Reason | Condition | Daily Traffic | Year Built |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wildwood Road over Poso Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 640 | 1966 |
| State Route 99 over High ST & Up Rr | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 53,000 | 1955 |
| Panama Lane over State Route 99 | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 44,034 | 1962 |
| Wible Road over State Route 99 | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 40,000 | 1962 |
| Wilson Road over State Route 99 | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 40,000 | 1962 |
| Gosford RD NB over Kern River Canal | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 18,900 | 1981 |
| Gosford RD SB over Arvin-edison Canal | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 17,700 | 1984 |
| Interstate 5 SB over Millux Road & Sunset Rr | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 17,000 | 1967 |
| Interstate 5 NB over Millux Road & Sunset Rr | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 17,000 | 1967 |
| Interstate 5 SB over State Route 58 & Tvrr | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 17,000 | 1969 |
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.