Washington County Bridge Report Card
Washington County scores 60 out of 100 on BridgeLookup's Bridge Condition Exposure Score, based on FHWA National Bridge Inventory records.
Washington County, Iowa
Washington County has 207 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, with 33 rated poor and 7 rated scour-critical. Its poor-condition share of 15.9% is at or below the 18.6% statewide average. Poor-condition bridges carry about 5,753 daily vehicle crossings.
Quote-Ready Local Facts
Copyable Facts for Reporters
BridgeLookup.com gives Washington County a Bridge Condition Exposure Score of 60/100 (D). The county has 207 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, including 33 in poor condition and 7 rated scour-critical. Poor-condition bridges carry about 5,753 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 | 15.9% | 31.9 |
| Poor-condition traffic exposure | 25 | 1.9% of measured traffic | 1.5 |
| Scour-critical bridge share | 20 | 3.4% | 6.8 |
| Average age vs national baseline | 10 | 45 years vs 48 nationally | 0.0 |
| Traffic-data completeness | 5 | 295,183 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 | 15.9% |
| State Poor-Condition Share | 18.6% |
| National Poor-Condition Share | 6.7% |
| County Scour-Critical Share | 3.4% |
| Average Bridge Age | 45 years |
| Poor-Condition Traffic Exposure | 5,753 vehicles/day |
Bridges to Watch
Top Bridges to Watch in Washington County
| Bridge | Reason | Condition | Daily Traffic | Year Built |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local over Whiskey Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 60 | 1917 |
| FM over Small Stream | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 50 | 1917 |
| Local Road over Small Stream | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 11 | 1917 |
| FM over Williams Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 1,650 | 1936 |
| B AVE over Small Stream | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 938 | 1936 |
| 9th Avenue over Smith Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 920 | 1928 |
| FM over N. Fork Long Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 440 | 1961 |
| FM over Small Stream | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 270 | 1925 |
| FM over N. Fork Long Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 160 | 1925 |
| Co RD W64 over Long Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 140 | 1929 |
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.