Kent County Bridge Report Card
Kent County scores 70 out of 100 on BridgeLookup's Bridge Condition Exposure Score, based on FHWA National Bridge Inventory records.
Kent County, Michigan
Kent County has 524 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, with 29 rated poor and 30 rated scour-critical. Its poor-condition share of 5.5% is at or below the 11.0% statewide average. Poor-condition bridges carry about 696,520 daily vehicle crossings.
Quote-Ready Local Facts
Copyable Facts for Reporters
BridgeLookup.com gives Kent County a Bridge Condition Exposure Score of 70/100 (C). The county has 524 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, including 29 in poor condition and 30 rated scour-critical. Poor-condition bridges carry about 696,520 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 | 5.5% | 11.1 |
| Poor-condition traffic exposure | 25 | 8.2% of measured traffic | 6.2 |
| Scour-critical bridge share | 20 | 5.7% | 11.5 |
| Average age vs national baseline | 10 | 50 years vs 48 nationally | 0.9 |
| Traffic-data completeness | 5 | 8,484,190 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 | 5.5% |
| State Poor-Condition Share | 11.0% |
| National Poor-Condition Share | 6.7% |
| County Scour-Critical Share | 5.7% |
| Average Bridge Age | 50 years |
| Poor-Condition Traffic Exposure | 696,520 vehicles/day |
Bridges to Watch
Top Bridges to Watch in Kent County
| Bridge | Reason | Condition | Daily Traffic | Year Built |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Drive over Buck CR | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 27,400 | 1933 |
| Canal AVE over Buck Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 12,000 | 1965 |
| Ball Creek RD over Ball Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 2,100 | 1925 |
| Mcpherson Street over Flat River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 608 | 1969 |
| I-196 M-21 WB over Conrail (no Tracks)(abn) | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 57,075 | 1963 |
| I-296 (us-131) NB over Us-131 Br (leonard) | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 50,972 | 1961 |
| I-296 (us-131) SB over Us-131 Br (leonard) | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 50,972 | 1961 |
| I-296 SB (us-131s) over 6th AVE | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 50,972 | 1963 |
| I-296 NB (us-131n) over 6th AVE | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 50,972 | 1963 |
| M-37 (e Belt Line) over I-96 | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 42,978 | 1961 |
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.