Howard County Bridge Report Card
Howard County scores 89 out of 100 on BridgeLookup's Bridge Condition Exposure Score, based on FHWA National Bridge Inventory records.
Howard County, Maryland
Howard County has 306 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, with 16 rated poor and 0 rated scour-critical. Its poor-condition share of 5.2% is above the 4.6% statewide average. Poor-condition bridges carry about 47,781 daily vehicle crossings.
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Copyable Facts for Reporters
BridgeLookup.com gives Howard County a Bridge Condition Exposure Score of 89/100 (B). The county has 306 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, including 16 in poor condition and 0 rated scour-critical. Poor-condition bridges carry about 47,781 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 | 5.2% | 10.5 |
| Poor-condition traffic exposure | 25 | 0.5% of measured traffic | 0.4 |
| Scour-critical bridge share | 20 | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| Average age vs national baseline | 10 | 47 years vs 48 nationally | 0.0 |
| Traffic-data completeness | 5 | 9,045,181 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 | 5.2% |
| State Poor-Condition Share | 4.6% |
| National Poor-Condition Share | 6.7% |
| County Scour-Critical Share | 0.0% |
| Average Bridge Age | 47 years |
| Poor-Condition Traffic Exposure | 47,781 vehicles/day |
Bridges to Watch
Top Bridges to Watch in Howard County
| Bridge | Reason | Condition | Daily Traffic | Year Built |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tamar Drive over Unnamed Stream | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 10,941 | 1970 |
| Broken Land Parkwa over Trib To Little Patuxent | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 10,830 | 1972 |
| Columbia Road over Plumtree Branch | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 8,641 | 1987 |
| Browns Bridge Road over Patuxent River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 5,772 | 1953 |
| Ilchester Road over Bonnie Branch | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 2,588 | 1945 |
| Seneca Drive over Beaver Run Branch | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 1,985 | 1960 |
| Daisy Road over Little Cattail Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 1,525 | 1935 |
| Pfefferkorn Road over Middle Patuxent River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 1,454 | 1935 |
| Henryton Road over Trib To S Br Patapsco R | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 1,427 | 1925 |
| Union Chapel Road over Cattail Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 1,052 | 1955 |
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.