Ness County Bridge Report Card
Ness County scores 72 out of 100 on BridgeLookup's Bridge Condition Exposure Score, based on FHWA National Bridge Inventory records.
Ness County, Kansas
Ness County has 167 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, with 15 rated poor and 2 rated scour-critical. Its poor-condition share of 9.0% is above the 5.2% statewide average. Poor-condition bridges carry about 700 daily vehicle crossings.
Quote-Ready Local Facts
Copyable Facts for Reporters
BridgeLookup.com gives Ness County a Bridge Condition Exposure Score of 72/100 (C). The county has 167 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, including 15 in poor condition and 2 rated scour-critical. Poor-condition bridges carry about 700 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 | 1.2% of measured traffic | 0.9 |
| Scour-critical bridge share | 20 | 1.2% | 2.4 |
| Average age vs national baseline | 10 | 64 years vs 48 nationally | 6.6 |
| Traffic-data completeness | 5 | 56,385 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 | 5.2% |
| National Poor-Condition Share | 6.7% |
| County Scour-Critical Share | 1.2% |
| Average Bridge Age | 64 years |
| Poor-Condition Traffic Exposure | 700 vehicles/day |
Bridges to Watch
Top Bridges to Watch in Ness County
| Bridge | Reason | Condition | Daily Traffic | Year Built |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RD F over Trib. To Plum Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 30 | 1940 |
| RD Dd over Trib. To Pawnee River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 80 | 1928 |
| RD 20 over Trib. To Pawnee River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 75 | 1938 |
| RD H over Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 60 | 1952 |
| RD 20 over Trib. To Pawnee River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 55 | 1935 |
| RD N over Trib. To Wild Horse Ck. | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 50 | 1928 |
| RD 110 over Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 50 | 1935 |
| RD N over Wild Horse Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 50 | 1940 |
| RD Z over Bazine Dry Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 40 | 1939 |
| RD Aa over Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 40 | 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.