Lake County Bridge Report Card
Lake County scores 42 out of 100 on BridgeLookup's Bridge Condition Exposure Score, based on FHWA National Bridge Inventory records.
Lake County, Michigan
Lake County has 31 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, with 5 rated poor and 3 rated scour-critical. Its poor-condition share of 16.1% is above the 11.0% statewide average. Poor-condition bridges carry about 496 daily vehicle crossings.
Quote-Ready Local Facts
Copyable Facts for Reporters
BridgeLookup.com gives Lake County a Bridge Condition Exposure Score of 42/100 (F). The county has 31 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, including 5 in poor condition and 3 rated scour-critical. Poor-condition bridges carry about 496 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 | 16.1% | 32.3 |
| Poor-condition traffic exposure | 25 | 1.6% of measured traffic | 1.2 |
| Scour-critical bridge share | 20 | 9.7% | 19.4 |
| Average age vs national baseline | 10 | 61 years vs 48 nationally | 5.3 |
| Traffic-data completeness | 5 | 30,329 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 | 16.1% |
| State Poor-Condition Share | 11.0% |
| National Poor-Condition Share | 6.7% |
| County Scour-Critical Share | 9.7% |
| Average Bridge Age | 61 years |
| Poor-Condition Traffic Exposure | 496 vehicles/day |
Bridges to Watch
Top Bridges to Watch in Lake County
| Bridge | Reason | Condition | Daily Traffic | Year Built |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Queens Highway over M Br Pere Marquette Riv | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 180 | 1904 |
| 40th Street over Baldwin River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 140 | 1924 |
| Frank Smith Road over M Br Pere Marquette Riv | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 112 | 1929 |
| 64th Street over M Br Pere Marquette Riv. | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 34 | 1909 |
| Peacock Road over Little Manistee River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 30 | 1929 |
| M-37 over Pere Marquette River | Scour-critical foundation rating | Fair | 4,771 | 1922 |
| Us-10 over Baldwin Creek | Scour-critical foundation rating | Fair | 3,813 | 1931 |
| Us-10 over Sanborn Creek | Scour-critical foundation rating | Fair | 3,813 | 1934 |
| M-37 over Baldwin Creek | High traffic | Fair | 4,771 | 1929 |
| M-37 over Little Manistee River | High traffic | Good | 2,500 | 1939 |
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.