Pottawattamie County Bridge Report Card
Pottawattamie County scores 79 out of 100 on BridgeLookup's Bridge Condition Exposure Score, based on FHWA National Bridge Inventory records.
Pottawattamie County, Iowa
Pottawattamie County has 557 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, with 50 rated poor and 6 rated scour-critical. Its poor-condition share of 9.0% is at or below the 18.6% statewide average. Poor-condition bridges carry about 30,043 daily vehicle crossings.
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BridgeLookup.com gives Pottawattamie County a Bridge Condition Exposure Score of 79/100 (C). The county has 557 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, including 50 in poor condition and 6 rated scour-critical. Poor-condition bridges carry about 30,043 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 | 9.0% | 18.0 |
| Poor-condition traffic exposure | 25 | 1.7% of measured traffic | 1.3 |
| Scour-critical bridge share | 20 | 1.1% | 2.2 |
| Average age vs national baseline | 10 | 43 years vs 48 nationally | 0.0 |
| Traffic-data completeness | 5 | 1,768,978 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 | 9.0% |
| State Poor-Condition Share | 18.6% |
| National Poor-Condition Share | 6.7% |
| County Scour-Critical Share | 1.1% |
| Average Bridge Age | 43 years |
| Poor-Condition Traffic Exposure | 30,043 vehicles/day |
Bridges to Watch
Top Bridges to Watch in Pottawattamie County
| Bridge | Reason | Condition | Daily Traffic | Year Built |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Idelwood Road over Walnut Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 11 | 1977 |
| Hemlock AVE over Graybill Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 5 | 1947 |
| South Expressway over Viaduct(rr & Streets) | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 7,488 | 1976 |
| 9th AVE over Indian Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 4,059 | 1930 |
| 5th AVE over Indian Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 3,013 | 1935 |
| Fm-magnolia RD over Mosquito Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 2,949 | 1965 |
| Creek Top RD over Indian Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 2,027 | 1937 |
| North 13th Street over Indian Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 2,027 | 1937 |
| FM over Pony Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 1,733 | 1966 |
| Railroad HWY over Stream | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 1,676 | 1952 |
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.