La Plata County Bridge Report Card
La Plata County scores 96 out of 100 on BridgeLookup's Bridge Condition Exposure Score, based on FHWA National Bridge Inventory records.
La Plata County, Colorado
La Plata County has 105 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, with 1 rated poor and 1 rated scour-critical. Its poor-condition share of 1.0% is at or below the 4.6% statewide average. Poor-condition bridges carry about 1,172 daily vehicle crossings.
Quote-Ready Local Facts
Copyable Facts for Reporters
BridgeLookup.com gives La Plata County a Bridge Condition Exposure Score of 96/100 (A). The county has 105 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, including 1 in poor condition and 1 rated scour-critical. Poor-condition bridges carry about 1,172 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 | 1.0% | 1.9 |
| Poor-condition traffic exposure | 25 | 0.3% of measured traffic | 0.2 |
| Scour-critical bridge share | 20 | 1.0% | 1.9 |
| Average age vs national baseline | 10 | 38 years vs 48 nationally | 0.0 |
| Traffic-data completeness | 5 | 393,318 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 | 1.0% |
| State Poor-Condition Share | 4.6% |
| National Poor-Condition Share | 6.7% |
| County Scour-Critical Share | 1.0% |
| Average Bridge Age | 38 years |
| Poor-Condition Traffic Exposure | 1,172 vehicles/day |
Bridges to Watch
Top Bridges to Watch in La Plata County
| Bridge | Reason | Condition | Daily Traffic | Year Built |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| County Road 228 over Florida Canal | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 1,172 | 1964 |
| Irr# US 550 Ml over Animas River | Scour-critical foundation rating | Fair | 8,100 | 1957 |
| US 160 Ml over City St_animas Rvr | High traffic | Fair | 35,000 | 1979 |
| US 160 Ml over Animas River | High traffic | Fair | 30,000 | 1974 |
| US 550 Ml over Animas River | High traffic | Fair | 28,000 | 1910 |
| US 160 Ml over Lightner Creek | High traffic | Fair | 19,000 | 1970 |
| Private Land Acces over Lightner Creek Ar | High traffic | Fair | 19,000 | 1973 |
| US 160 Ml over Animas River | High traffic | Fair | 17,000 | 1968 |
| Three Springs BLVD over Traverse Wash | High traffic | Fair | 12,427 | 2004 |
| US 160 Ml over Lightner Creek | High traffic | Fair | 12,000 | 1970 |
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.