Palo Alto County Bridge Report Card
Palo Alto County scores 64 out of 100 on BridgeLookup's Bridge Condition Exposure Score, based on FHWA National Bridge Inventory records.
Palo Alto County, Iowa
Palo Alto County has 135 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, with 21 rated poor and 2 rated scour-critical. Its poor-condition share of 15.6% is at or below the 18.6% statewide average. Poor-condition bridges carry about 815 daily vehicle crossings.
Quote-Ready Local Facts
Copyable Facts for Reporters
BridgeLookup.com gives Palo Alto County a Bridge Condition Exposure Score of 64/100 (D). The county has 135 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, including 21 in poor condition and 2 rated scour-critical. Poor-condition bridges carry about 815 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 | 15.6% | 31.1 |
| Poor-condition traffic exposure | 25 | 1.9% of measured traffic | 1.4 |
| Scour-critical bridge share | 20 | 1.5% | 3.0 |
| Average age vs national baseline | 10 | 50 years vs 48 nationally | 0.9 |
| Traffic-data completeness | 5 | 42,768 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 | 15.6% |
| State Poor-Condition Share | 18.6% |
| National Poor-Condition Share | 6.7% |
| County Scour-Critical Share | 1.5% |
| Average Bridge Age | 50 years |
| Poor-Condition Traffic Exposure | 815 vehicles/day |
Bridges to Watch
Top Bridges to Watch in Palo Alto County
| Bridge | Reason | Condition | Daily Traffic | Year Built |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FM over Ss #98 | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 120 | 1973 |
| Local over Stream | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 90 | 1927 |
| FM over Dd | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 72 | 1946 |
| FM over Stream | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 60 | 1972 |
| Local over Dd 175 | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 51 | 1960 |
| Local over Dd 41 | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 46 | 1948 |
| FM over Old Channel Des Moines R | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 46 | 1956 |
| Local over Dd | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 41 | 1915 |
| Local over Stream | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 41 | 1962 |
| FM over Stream | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 31 | 1977 |
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.