Madison County Bridge Report Card
Madison County scores 36 out of 100 on BridgeLookup's Bridge Condition Exposure Score, based on FHWA National Bridge Inventory records.
Madison County, Iowa
Madison County has 225 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, with 82 rated poor and 8 rated scour-critical. Its poor-condition share of 36.4% is above the 18.6% statewide average. Poor-condition bridges carry about 15,371 daily vehicle crossings.
Quote-Ready Local Facts
Copyable Facts for Reporters
BridgeLookup.com gives Madison County a Bridge Condition Exposure Score of 36/100 (F). The county has 225 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, including 82 in poor condition and 8 rated scour-critical. Poor-condition bridges carry about 15,371 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 | 36.4% | 40.0 |
| Poor-condition traffic exposure | 25 | 17.1% of measured traffic | 12.9 |
| Scour-critical bridge share | 20 | 3.6% | 7.1 |
| Average age vs national baseline | 10 | 57 years vs 48 nationally | 3.5 |
| Traffic-data completeness | 5 | 89,635 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 | 36.4% |
| State Poor-Condition Share | 18.6% |
| National Poor-Condition Share | 6.7% |
| County Scour-Critical Share | 3.6% |
| Average Bridge Age | 57 years |
| Poor-Condition Traffic Exposure | 15,371 vehicles/day |
Bridges to Watch
Top Bridges to Watch in Madison County
| Bridge | Reason | Condition | Daily Traffic | Year Built |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FM over Drainage | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 180 | 1975 |
| FM over Waterway | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 100 | 1930 |
| Local RD over N Br North River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 50 | 1915 |
| Local RD over Drainage | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 11 | 1956 |
| FM over Br Badger Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 1,714 | 1970 |
| FM over Badger Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 1,404 | 1956 |
| FM over Over-flow-north River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 880 | 1970 |
| FM over Jones Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 788 | 1929 |
| FM over Jim Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 668 | 1948 |
| FM over Drainage | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 597 | 1949 |
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.