Howard County Bridge Report Card
Howard County scores 79 out of 100 on BridgeLookup's Bridge Condition Exposure Score, based on FHWA National Bridge Inventory records.
Howard County, Indiana
Howard County has 194 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, with 11 rated poor and 6 rated scour-critical. Its poor-condition share of 5.7% is above the 5.3% statewide average. Poor-condition bridges carry about 26,542 daily vehicle crossings.
Quote-Ready Local Facts
Copyable Facts for Reporters
BridgeLookup.com gives Howard County a Bridge Condition Exposure Score of 79/100 (C). The county has 194 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, including 11 in poor condition and 6 rated scour-critical. Poor-condition bridges carry about 26,542 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 | 5.7% | 11.3 |
| Poor-condition traffic exposure | 25 | 3.3% of measured traffic | 2.5 |
| Scour-critical bridge share | 20 | 3.1% | 6.2 |
| Average age vs national baseline | 10 | 50 years vs 48 nationally | 0.8 |
| Traffic-data completeness | 5 | 799,742 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 | 5.7% |
| State Poor-Condition Share | 5.3% |
| National Poor-Condition Share | 6.7% |
| County Scour-Critical Share | 3.1% |
| Average Bridge Age | 50 years |
| Poor-Condition Traffic Exposure | 26,542 vehicles/day |
Bridges to Watch
Top Bridges to Watch in Howard County
| Bridge | Reason | Condition | Daily Traffic | Year Built |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CR 300 E over Wildcat Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 1,800 | 1958 |
| Union ST over Wildcat Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 6,909 | 1958 |
| Defenbaugh ST over Kokomo Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 6,263 | 1970 |
| Defenbaugh Street over Local Plant Pass Road | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 5,200 | 1965 |
| Lafountain ST over Kokomo Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 4,492 | 1940 |
| CR 350 W over Little Wildcat Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 494 | 1967 |
| CR 550 N over South Fork Deer Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 475 | 1960 |
| CR 500 S over Mud Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 390 | 1969 |
| CR 775 W over West Fork Honey Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 193 | 1899 |
| CR 600 S over East Fork Honey Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 175 | 1910 |
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.