Houghton County Bridge Report Card
Houghton County scores 90 out of 100 on BridgeLookup's Bridge Condition Exposure Score, based on FHWA National Bridge Inventory records.
Houghton County, Michigan
Houghton County has 59 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, with 2 rated poor and 1 rated scour-critical. Its poor-condition share of 3.4% is at or below the 11.0% statewide average. Poor-condition bridges carry about 90 daily vehicle crossings.
Quote-Ready Local Facts
Copyable Facts for Reporters
BridgeLookup.com gives Houghton County a Bridge Condition Exposure Score of 90/100 (A). The county has 59 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, including 2 in poor condition and 1 rated scour-critical. Poor-condition bridges carry about 90 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 | 3.4% | 6.8 |
| Poor-condition traffic exposure | 25 | 0.1% of measured traffic | 0.1 |
| Scour-critical bridge share | 20 | 1.7% | 3.4 |
| Average age vs national baseline | 10 | 41 years vs 48 nationally | 0.0 |
| Traffic-data completeness | 5 | 80,032 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 | 3.4% |
| State Poor-Condition Share | 11.0% |
| National Poor-Condition Share | 6.7% |
| County Scour-Critical Share | 1.7% |
| Average Bridge Age | 41 years |
| Poor-Condition Traffic Exposure | 90 vehicles/day |
Bridges to Watch
Top Bridges to Watch in Houghton County
| Bridge | Reason | Condition | Daily Traffic | Year Built |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wood Bush Road over Traprock River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 80 | 1900 |
| Hazel Swamp Road over W Br Otter River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 10 | 1997 |
| Us-41 over Pilgrim River | Scour-critical foundation rating | Fair | 5,543 | 1916 |
| Us-41&m-26 Rr(abn) over Portage Lake & EB M-26 | High traffic | Fair | 24,754 | 1960 |
| M-26 over Quincy Creek | High traffic | Good | 5,200 | 2021 |
| Us-41 over Sturgeon River Slough | High traffic | Fair | 3,985 | 1956 |
| Us-41 over Backwater Portage River | High traffic | Fair | 3,883 | 1929 |
| Us-41 over Snake River | High traffic | Fair | 3,883 | 1934 |
| Us-41 over Pike River | High traffic | Fair | 3,883 | 1954 |
| Us-41 over Sturgeon River | High traffic | Fair | 3,883 | 1960 |
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.