Madera County Bridge Report Card
Madera County scores 72 out of 100 on BridgeLookup's Bridge Condition Exposure Score, based on FHWA National Bridge Inventory records.
Madera County, California
Madera County has 250 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, with 24 rated poor and 5 rated scour-critical. Its poor-condition share of 9.6% is above the 4.9% statewide average. Poor-condition bridges carry about 49,885 daily vehicle crossings.
Quote-Ready Local Facts
Copyable Facts for Reporters
BridgeLookup.com gives Madera County a Bridge Condition Exposure Score of 72/100 (C). The county has 250 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, including 24 in poor condition and 5 rated scour-critical. Poor-condition bridges carry about 49,885 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 | 9.6% | 19.2 |
| Poor-condition traffic exposure | 25 | 4.1% of measured traffic | 3.1 |
| Scour-critical bridge share | 20 | 2.0% | 4.0 |
| Average age vs national baseline | 10 | 51 years vs 48 nationally | 1.4 |
| Traffic-data completeness | 5 | 1,202,438 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 | 9.6% |
| State Poor-Condition Share | 4.9% |
| National Poor-Condition Share | 6.7% |
| County Scour-Critical Share | 2.0% |
| Average Bridge Age | 51 years |
| Poor-Condition Traffic Exposure | 49,885 vehicles/day |
Bridges to Watch
Top Bridges to Watch in Madera County
| Bridge | Reason | Condition | Daily Traffic | Year Built |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avenue 18.5 over Eastside Bypass Channel | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 300 | 1965 |
| Winding Road over Johnson Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 50 | 1973 |
| State Route 99 SB over Cottonwood Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 32,500 | 1967 |
| S Gateway DR over SR 99 | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 4,380 | 1958 |
| CR 426 over Fresno River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 3,000 | 1988 |
| School RD 427 over Oak Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 2,066 | 1975 |
| N Shore DR RD 432 over North Fork Willow Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 2,000 | 1953 |
| Chowchilla BLVD over Berenda Slough | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 1,446 | 1931 |
| RD 19 & AVE 18.5 over Berenda Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 1,000 | 1965 |
| AVE 15 1/2 over Mid Canal (ave 15 1/2) | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 737 | 1953 |
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.