Ottawa County Bridge Report Card
Ottawa County scores 77 out of 100 on BridgeLookup's Bridge Condition Exposure Score, based on FHWA National Bridge Inventory records.
Ottawa County, Kansas
Ottawa County has 295 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, with 11 rated poor and 13 rated scour-critical. Its poor-condition share of 3.7% is at or below the 5.2% statewide average. Poor-condition bridges carry about 960 daily vehicle crossings.
Quote-Ready Local Facts
Copyable Facts for Reporters
BridgeLookup.com gives Ottawa County a Bridge Condition Exposure Score of 77/100 (C). The county has 295 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, including 11 in poor condition and 13 rated scour-critical. Poor-condition bridges carry about 960 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 | 3.7% | 7.5 |
| Poor-condition traffic exposure | 25 | 0.8% of measured traffic | 0.6 |
| Scour-critical bridge share | 20 | 4.4% | 8.8 |
| Average age vs national baseline | 10 | 63 years vs 48 nationally | 6.1 |
| Traffic-data completeness | 5 | 117,810 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 | 3.7% |
| State Poor-Condition Share | 5.2% |
| National Poor-Condition Share | 6.7% |
| County Scour-Critical Share | 4.4% |
| Average Bridge Age | 63 years |
| Poor-Condition Traffic Exposure | 960 vehicles/day |
Bridges to Watch
Top Bridges to Watch in Ottawa County
| Bridge | Reason | Condition | Daily Traffic | Year Built |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| L.7-13.6 Minor over Pipe Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 400 | 1915 |
| Rs 187 over Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 300 | 1971 |
| Q-1.4 Minor over Stream | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 50 | 1930 |
| C.4-21.2 Local over Stream | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 40 | 1930 |
| P-11.8 Local over Lindsey Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 40 | 1940 |
| J.5-3.6 Local over Henry Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 30 | 1930 |
| P.5-20.5 Local over Trib. To Solomon River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 25 | 1930 |
| Beaver/aspen over Trib. To Saline River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 25 | 1988 |
| R.9-19 Local over Sand Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 20 | 1930 |
| T.6-12 Local over Stream | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 20 | 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.