Mills County Bridge Report Card
Mills County scores 40 out of 100 on BridgeLookup's Bridge Condition Exposure Score, based on FHWA National Bridge Inventory records.
Mills County, Iowa
Mills County has 184 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, with 35 rated poor and 18 rated scour-critical. Its poor-condition share of 19.0% is above the 18.6% statewide average. Poor-condition bridges carry about 4,868 daily vehicle crossings.
Quote-Ready Local Facts
Copyable Facts for Reporters
BridgeLookup.com gives Mills County a Bridge Condition Exposure Score of 40/100 (F). The county has 184 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, including 35 in poor condition and 18 rated scour-critical. Poor-condition bridges carry about 4,868 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 | 19.0% | 38.0 |
| Poor-condition traffic exposure | 25 | 1.7% of measured traffic | 1.3 |
| Scour-critical bridge share | 20 | 9.8% | 19.6 |
| Average age vs national baseline | 10 | 49 years vs 48 nationally | 0.6 |
| Traffic-data completeness | 5 | 280,700 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 | 19.0% |
| State Poor-Condition Share | 18.6% |
| National Poor-Condition Share | 6.7% |
| County Scour-Critical Share | 9.8% |
| Average Bridge Age | 49 years |
| Poor-Condition Traffic Exposure | 4,868 vehicles/day |
Bridges to Watch
Top Bridges to Watch in Mills County
| Bridge | Reason | Condition | Daily Traffic | Year Built |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lcl-jesup AVE over Major Drainage | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 133 | 1970 |
| Lcl-allis RD over Stream | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 89 | 1978 |
| Lcl-merrill RD over Drainage | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 50 | 1964 |
| Lcl-380th ST over Indian Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 50 | 1964 |
| Lcl-ellington over Keg Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 41 | 1964 |
| Lcl-400th ST over Indian Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 26 | 1940 |
| Lcl-400th ST over Hunters Branch | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 26 | 1965 |
| Lcl-pathfield over Waubonsie CR | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 20 | 1940 |
| Lcl-queen AVE over Deer Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 15 | 1940 |
| Lcl-rains Av over Hunter Branch | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 15 | 1950 |
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.