Dakota County Bridge Report Card
Dakota County scores 92 out of 100 on BridgeLookup's Bridge Condition Exposure Score, based on FHWA National Bridge Inventory records.
Dakota County, Minnesota
Dakota County has 257 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, with 4 rated poor and 3 rated scour-critical. Its poor-condition share of 1.6% is at or below the 4.5% statewide average. Poor-condition bridges carry about 116,804 daily vehicle crossings.
Quote-Ready Local Facts
Copyable Facts for Reporters
BridgeLookup.com gives Dakota County a Bridge Condition Exposure Score of 92/100 (A). The county has 257 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, including 4 in poor condition and 3 rated scour-critical. Poor-condition bridges carry about 116,804 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 | 1.6% | 3.1 |
| Poor-condition traffic exposure | 25 | 3.4% of measured traffic | 2.6 |
| Scour-critical bridge share | 20 | 1.2% | 2.3 |
| Average age vs national baseline | 10 | 40 years vs 48 nationally | 0.0 |
| Traffic-data completeness | 5 | 3,390,382 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 | 1.6% |
| State Poor-Condition Share | 4.5% |
| National Poor-Condition Share | 6.7% |
| County Scour-Critical Share | 1.2% |
| Average Bridge Age | 40 years |
| Poor-Condition Traffic Exposure | 116,804 vehicles/day |
Bridges to Watch
Top Bridges to Watch in Dakota County
| Bridge | Reason | Condition | Daily Traffic | Year Built |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I 35w over Up Rr Cliff RD (csah32) | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 94,603 | 1959 |
| Msas 102 over I 35w | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 15,800 | 1969 |
| Mn 55 over US 52 NB | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 6,400 | 1958 |
| Permanently Closed over Cannon River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 1 | 1909 |
| CR 59 over Cannon River | Scour-critical foundation rating | Fair | 276 | 1975 |
| T 188 over Pine Creek | Scour-critical foundation rating | Fair | 75 | 1959 |
| T 160 over Chub Creek | Scour-critical foundation rating | Fair | 45 | 1970 |
| I 494 over Csah 56 (concord Street) | High traffic | Fair | 103,528 | 1980 |
| I 494 over Up Railroad Hardman AVE | High traffic | Fair | 103,528 | 1988 |
| I 494 over TH 13; Up Rr | High traffic | Fair | 88,714 | 1973 |
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.