Santa Clara County Bridge Report Card
Santa Clara County scores 85 out of 100 on BridgeLookup's Bridge Condition Exposure Score, based on FHWA National Bridge Inventory records.
Santa Clara County, California
Santa Clara County has 966 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, with 43 rated poor and 10 rated scour-critical. Its poor-condition share of 4.5% is at or below the 4.9% statewide average. Poor-condition bridges carry about 998,667 daily vehicle crossings.
Quote-Ready Local Facts
Copyable Facts for Reporters
BridgeLookup.com gives Santa Clara County a Bridge Condition Exposure Score of 85/100 (B). The county has 966 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, including 43 in poor condition and 10 rated scour-critical. Poor-condition bridges carry about 998,667 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 | 4.5% | 8.9 |
| Poor-condition traffic exposure | 25 | 3.2% of measured traffic | 2.4 |
| Scour-critical bridge share | 20 | 1.0% | 2.1 |
| Average age vs national baseline | 10 | 53 years vs 48 nationally | 2.0 |
| Traffic-data completeness | 5 | 31,253,881 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 | 4.5% |
| State Poor-Condition Share | 4.9% |
| National Poor-Condition Share | 6.7% |
| County Scour-Critical Share | 1.0% |
| Average Bridge Age | 53 years |
| Poor-Condition Traffic Exposure | 998,667 vehicles/day |
Bridges to Watch
Top Bridges to Watch in Santa Clara County
| Bridge | Reason | Condition | Daily Traffic | Year Built |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alamitos Road over Herbert Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 10 | 1985 |
| Interstate 880 over North Fourth Street | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 165,000 | 1960 |
| Interstate 880 over Guadalupe River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 165,000 | 1960 |
| State Route 237 over Mathilda Avenue | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 68,000 | 1961 |
| SB US Highway 101 over Coyote Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 64,000 | 1947 |
| NB US Highway 101 over Coyote Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 64,000 | 1947 |
| Lawrence Expwy over Stevens Creek BLVD | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 55,150 | 1966 |
| NB US Highway 101 over Coyote Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 50,000 | 1980 |
| S680-s101 Connectr over I 280 I 680 US 101 Story | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 36,000 | 1982 |
| Stevens CR BLVD over Calabazas Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 27,600 | 1978 |
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.