Santa Barbara County Bridge Report Card
Santa Barbara County scores 83 out of 100 on BridgeLookup's Bridge Condition Exposure Score, based on FHWA National Bridge Inventory records.
Santa Barbara County, California
Santa Barbara County has 421 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, with 16 rated poor and 11 rated scour-critical. Its poor-condition share of 3.8% is at or below the 4.9% statewide average. Poor-condition bridges carry about 243,255 daily vehicle crossings.
Quote-Ready Local Facts
Copyable Facts for Reporters
BridgeLookup.com gives Santa Barbara County a Bridge Condition Exposure Score of 83/100 (B). The county has 421 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, including 16 in poor condition and 11 rated scour-critical. Poor-condition bridges carry about 243,255 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 | 3.8% | 7.6 |
| Poor-condition traffic exposure | 25 | 4.1% of measured traffic | 3.1 |
| Scour-critical bridge share | 20 | 2.6% | 5.2 |
| Average age vs national baseline | 10 | 49 years vs 48 nationally | 0.6 |
| Traffic-data completeness | 5 | 5,969,934 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 | 3.8% |
| State Poor-Condition Share | 4.9% |
| National Poor-Condition Share | 6.7% |
| County Scour-Critical Share | 2.6% |
| Average Bridge Age | 49 years |
| Poor-Condition Traffic Exposure | 243,255 vehicles/day |
Bridges to Watch
Top Bridges to Watch in Santa Barbara County
| Bridge | Reason | Condition | Daily Traffic | Year Built |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Highway 101 SB over Nojoqui Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 11,000 | 1956 |
| US Highway 101 NB over Nojoqui Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 11,000 | 1956 |
| State Route 166 over Branch Canyon | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 4,500 | 1943 |
| AVE Of The Flags over Santa Ynez River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 3,000 | 1949 |
| Islay ST over Mission Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 700 | 1982 |
| US Highway 101 SB over San Jose Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 60,500 | 1946 |
| US Highway 101 NB over Maria Ygnacio Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 60,500 | 1961 |
| US Highway 101 SB over Refugio Road | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 16,000 | 1974 |
| US Highway 101 NB over Refugio Road | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 16,000 | 1974 |
| Clark AVE over US Highway 101 | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 15,000 | 1966 |
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.