Benewah County Bridge Report Card
Benewah County scores 83 out of 100 on BridgeLookup's Bridge Condition Exposure Score, based on FHWA National Bridge Inventory records.
Benewah County, Idaho
Benewah County has 48 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, with 3 rated poor and 1 rated scour-critical. Its poor-condition share of 6.2% is above the 5.4% statewide average. Poor-condition bridges carry about 530 daily vehicle crossings.
Quote-Ready Local Facts
Copyable Facts for Reporters
BridgeLookup.com gives Benewah County a Bridge Condition Exposure Score of 83/100 (B). The county has 48 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, including 3 in poor condition and 1 rated scour-critical. Poor-condition bridges carry about 530 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 | 6.2% | 12.5 |
| Poor-condition traffic exposure | 25 | 1.1% of measured traffic | 0.8 |
| Scour-critical bridge share | 20 | 2.1% | 4.2 |
| Average age vs national baseline | 10 | 41 years vs 48 nationally | 0.0 |
| Traffic-data completeness | 5 | 49,971 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 | 6.2% |
| State Poor-Condition Share | 5.4% |
| National Poor-Condition Share | 6.7% |
| County Scour-Critical Share | 2.1% |
| Average Bridge Age | 41 years |
| Poor-Condition Traffic Exposure | 530 vehicles/day |
Bridges to Watch
Top Bridges to Watch in Benewah County
| Bridge | Reason | Condition | Daily Traffic | Year Built |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IRR BIA RTE 11 over Little Hangman Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 350 | 1977 |
| Charlie Creek RD over Santa Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 150 | 1964 |
| Crabb Road over Hangman Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 30 | 1981 |
| SH 3 over ST Maries River | Scour-critical foundation rating | Fair | 1,700 | 1977 |
| SH 3 over ST Maries R;st Maries Br | High traffic | Fair | 7,100 | 1977 |
| US 95 over Rr Roadbed/no Tracks | High traffic | Fair | 5,000 | 1975 |
| SH 3 over ST Maries Rr | High traffic | Good | 4,800 | 2019 |
| SH 3 over ST Joe River | High traffic | Good | 4,800 | 2019 |
| US 95 over Sheep Creek | High traffic | Fair | 3,500 | 1975 |
| US 95 over Hangman Creek | High traffic | Fair | 3,500 | 1975 |
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.