Lake County Bridge Report Card
Lake County scores 81 out of 100 on BridgeLookup's Bridge Condition Exposure Score, based on FHWA National Bridge Inventory records.
Lake County, Indiana
Lake County has 501 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, with 36 rated poor and 6 rated scour-critical. Its poor-condition share of 7.2% is above the 5.3% statewide average. Poor-condition bridges carry about 273,700 daily vehicle crossings.
Quote-Ready Local Facts
Copyable Facts for Reporters
BridgeLookup.com gives Lake County a Bridge Condition Exposure Score of 81/100 (B). The county has 501 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, including 36 in poor condition and 6 rated scour-critical. Poor-condition bridges carry about 273,700 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 | 7.2% | 14.4 |
| Poor-condition traffic exposure | 25 | 3.0% of measured traffic | 2.3 |
| Scour-critical bridge share | 20 | 1.2% | 2.4 |
| Average age vs national baseline | 10 | 41 years vs 48 nationally | 0.0 |
| Traffic-data completeness | 5 | 9,011,840 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 | 7.2% |
| State Poor-Condition Share | 5.3% |
| National Poor-Condition Share | 6.7% |
| County Scour-Critical Share | 1.2% |
| Average Bridge Age | 41 years |
| Poor-Condition Traffic Exposure | 273,700 vehicles/day |
Bridges to Watch
Top Bridges to Watch in Lake County
| Bridge | Reason | Condition | Daily Traffic | Year Built |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I-65 SB over Brown Ditch | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 22,124 | 1964 |
| Buchanan Str Ramp over Grand Calumet River | Poor condition | Poor | 0 | 1956 |
| Ridge Road over Elgin Joliet Eastern Rr. | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 24,762 | 1934 |
| Kennedy Avenue over Little Calumet River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 24,318 | 1955 |
| US 6 over Muck Pocket | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 22,439 | 1941 |
| US 6 over Deep River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 22,439 | 1941 |
| I-90 EB over 129th Street | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 18,085 | 1956 |
| I-90 WB over 129th Street | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 18,085 | 1956 |
| 45th Street over Hart Ditch | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 16,906 | 1960 |
| Ridge Road over Kennedy Avenue Trail | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 16,879 | 1936 |
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.