Hardin County Bridge Report Card
Hardin County scores 54 out of 100 on BridgeLookup's Bridge Condition Exposure Score, based on FHWA National Bridge Inventory records.
Hardin County, Iowa
Hardin County has 241 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, with 69 rated poor and 2 rated scour-critical. Its poor-condition share of 28.6% is above the 18.6% statewide average. Poor-condition bridges carry about 10,338 daily vehicle crossings.
Quote-Ready Local Facts
Copyable Facts for Reporters
BridgeLookup.com gives Hardin County a Bridge Condition Exposure Score of 54/100 (F). The county has 241 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, including 69 in poor condition and 2 rated scour-critical. Poor-condition bridges carry about 10,338 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 | 28.6% | 40.0 |
| Poor-condition traffic exposure | 25 | 5.5% of measured traffic | 4.1 |
| Scour-critical bridge share | 20 | 0.8% | 1.7 |
| Average age vs national baseline | 10 | 43 years vs 48 nationally | 0.0 |
| Traffic-data completeness | 5 | 188,143 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 | 28.6% |
| State Poor-Condition Share | 18.6% |
| National Poor-Condition Share | 6.7% |
| County Scour-Critical Share | 0.8% |
| Average Bridge Age | 43 years |
| Poor-Condition Traffic Exposure | 10,338 vehicles/day |
Bridges to Watch
Top Bridges to Watch in Hardin County
| Bridge | Reason | Condition | Daily Traffic | Year Built |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local over South Fork Iowa River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 51 | 1982 |
| Local over Ia River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 11 | 1965 |
| South AVE over Iowa River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 1,041 | 1957 |
| HWY 215 over Small Natural Stream | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 854 | 1947 |
| HWY 215 over Small Natural Stream | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 854 | 1948 |
| FM over Dd | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 776 | 1971 |
| FM over Tipton CR | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 687 | 1974 |
| FM over Minerva Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 550 | 1972 |
| FM over Elk Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 491 | 1964 |
| FM over Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 462 | 1960 |
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.