Rice County Bridge Report Card
Rice County scores 73 out of 100 on BridgeLookup's Bridge Condition Exposure Score, based on FHWA National Bridge Inventory records.
Rice County, Kansas
Rice County has 261 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, with 8 rated poor and 24 rated scour-critical. Its poor-condition share of 3.1% is at or below the 5.2% statewide average. Poor-condition bridges carry about 4,836 daily vehicle crossings.
Quote-Ready Local Facts
Copyable Facts for Reporters
BridgeLookup.com gives Rice County a Bridge Condition Exposure Score of 73/100 (C). The county has 261 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, including 8 in poor condition and 24 rated scour-critical. Poor-condition bridges carry about 4,836 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 | 3.1% | 6.1 |
| Poor-condition traffic exposure | 25 | 3.1% of measured traffic | 2.3 |
| Scour-critical bridge share | 20 | 9.2% | 18.4 |
| Average age vs national baseline | 10 | 49 years vs 48 nationally | 0.5 |
| Traffic-data completeness | 5 | 155,114 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 | 3.1% |
| State Poor-Condition Share | 5.2% |
| National Poor-Condition Share | 6.7% |
| County Scour-Critical Share | 9.2% |
| Average Bridge Age | 49 years |
| Poor-Condition Traffic Exposure | 4,836 vehicles/day |
Bridges to Watch
Top Bridges to Watch in Rice County
| Bridge | Reason | Condition | Daily Traffic | Year Built |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Us56 HWY over Spring Creek Drainage | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 3,406 | 1931 |
| 22nd Rd. | Rs 560 over Cow Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 1,200 | 1955 |
| 4th Rd. | Rs 506 over Salt Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 65 | 1959 |
| Ave. E over Plum Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 40 | 1965 |
| 7th Rd. over Plum Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 40 | 1967 |
| 10th Rd. over Cow Creek Overflow | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 35 | 1940 |
| Ave. W over Cow Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 25 | 1920 |
| Ave. C over Little Cow Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 25 | 1959 |
| Us56 HWY over Little Arkansas River | Scour-critical foundation rating | Fair | 3,191 | 1956 |
| Ave. Q | Rs 445 over Trib. To Cow Creek | Scour-critical foundation rating | Fair | 2,260 | 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.