Pope County Bridge Report Card
Pope County scores 96 out of 100 on BridgeLookup's Bridge Condition Exposure Score, based on FHWA National Bridge Inventory records.
Pope County, Minnesota
Pope County has 47 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, with 1 rated poor and 0 rated scour-critical. Its poor-condition share of 2.1% is at or below the 4.5% statewide average. Poor-condition bridges carry about 1 daily vehicle crossings.
Quote-Ready Local Facts
Copyable Facts for Reporters
BridgeLookup.com gives Pope County a Bridge Condition Exposure Score of 96/100 (A). The county has 47 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, including 1 in poor condition and 0 rated scour-critical. Poor-condition bridges carry about 1 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 | 2.1% | 4.3 |
| Poor-condition traffic exposure | 25 | 0.0% of measured traffic | 0.0 |
| Scour-critical bridge share | 20 | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| Average age vs national baseline | 10 | 39 years vs 48 nationally | 0.0 |
| Traffic-data completeness | 5 | 25,439 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 | 2.1% |
| State Poor-Condition Share | 4.5% |
| National Poor-Condition Share | 6.7% |
| County Scour-Critical Share | 0.0% |
| Average Bridge Age | 39 years |
| Poor-Condition Traffic Exposure | 1 vehicles/day |
Bridges to Watch
Top Bridges to Watch in Pope County
| Bridge | Reason | Condition | Daily Traffic | Year Built |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T 246 over Chippewa River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 1 | 1998 |
| Mn 29 over Mn 55; Railroad | High traffic | Fair | 6,000 | 2022 |
| Mn 29 over Outlet Creek | High traffic | Good | 3,650 | 2012 |
| Mn 55 over TH 28 | High traffic | Fair | 3,000 | 1987 |
| Mn 55 over E Br Chippewa River | High traffic | Fair | 2,385 | 1935 |
| Mn 28 over Little Chippewa River | High traffic | Good | 2,000 | 1931 |
| Mn 28 over Chippewa River | High traffic | Good | 2,000 | 1981 |
| Csah 3 over Chippewa River | High traffic | Good | 830 | 1982 |
| Csah 18 over Chippewa River | High traffic | Good | 810 | 2000 |
| Csah 18 over Outlet Creek (cd #2) | High traffic | Good | 720 | 2009 |
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.