Putnam County Bridge Report Card
Putnam County scores 77 out of 100 on BridgeLookup's Bridge Condition Exposure Score, based on FHWA National Bridge Inventory records.
Putnam County, Illinois
Putnam County has 50 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, with 3 rated poor and 1 rated scour-critical. Its poor-condition share of 6.0% is at or below the 9.5% statewide average. Poor-condition bridges carry about 6,100 daily vehicle crossings.
Quote-Ready Local Facts
Copyable Facts for Reporters
BridgeLookup.com gives Putnam County a Bridge Condition Exposure Score of 77/100 (C). The county has 50 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, including 3 in poor condition and 1 rated scour-critical. Poor-condition bridges carry about 6,100 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 | 6.0% | 12.0 |
| Poor-condition traffic exposure | 25 | 9.4% of measured traffic | 7.0 |
| Scour-critical bridge share | 20 | 2.0% | 4.0 |
| Average age vs national baseline | 10 | 41 years vs 48 nationally | 0.0 |
| Traffic-data completeness | 5 | 64,910 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 | 6.0% |
| State Poor-Condition Share | 9.5% |
| National Poor-Condition Share | 6.7% |
| County Scour-Critical Share | 2.0% |
| Average Bridge Age | 41 years |
| Poor-Condition Traffic Exposure | 6,100 vehicles/day |
Bridges to Watch
Top Bridges to Watch in Putnam County
| Bridge | Reason | Condition | Daily Traffic | Year Built |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ill 29 over Senachwine Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 3,200 | 1962 |
| Ill 18 over Drainage Ditch | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 2,100 | 1932 |
| Ill 26/fas 2370 over Drainage Ditch | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 800 | 1956 |
| Ch 5 over Clear CR | Scour-critical foundation rating | Fair | 100 | 1978 |
| Il 89 over Unnamed Stream | High traffic | Fair | 5,450 | 2001 |
| Ill 71 over Drainage Ditch | High traffic | Good | 4,700 | 2015 |
| Il 71 over Intermittent Stream | High traffic | Good | 4,100 | 2007 |
| Ill 89 over Allforks Creek North | High traffic | Good | 4,100 | 2012 |
| Ill 89 over Allforks Creek South | High traffic | Good | 4,100 | 2012 |
| Ill 71 over Coffee Creek | High traffic | Fair | 3,600 | 1977 |
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.