Howard County Bridge Report Card
Howard County scores 78 out of 100 on BridgeLookup's Bridge Condition Exposure Score, based on FHWA National Bridge Inventory records.
Howard County, Missouri
Howard County has 134 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, with 10 rated poor and 1 rated scour-critical. Its poor-condition share of 7.5% is at or below the 8.8% statewide average. Poor-condition bridges carry about 4,701 daily vehicle crossings.
Quote-Ready Local Facts
Copyable Facts for Reporters
BridgeLookup.com gives Howard County a Bridge Condition Exposure Score of 78/100 (C). The county has 134 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, including 10 in poor condition and 1 rated scour-critical. Poor-condition bridges carry about 4,701 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 | 7.5% | 14.9 |
| Poor-condition traffic exposure | 25 | 7.1% of measured traffic | 5.3 |
| Scour-critical bridge share | 20 | 0.7% | 1.5 |
| Average age vs national baseline | 10 | 45 years vs 48 nationally | 0.0 |
| Traffic-data completeness | 5 | 65,970 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 | 7.5% |
| State Poor-Condition Share | 8.8% |
| National Poor-Condition Share | 6.7% |
| County Scour-Critical Share | 0.7% |
| Average Bridge Age | 45 years |
| Poor-Condition Traffic Exposure | 4,701 vehicles/day |
Bridges to Watch
Top Bridges to Watch in Howard County
| Bridge | Reason | Condition | Daily Traffic | Year Built |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mo 3 S over Ksc Rr | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 1,775 | 1941 |
| Mo 5 S over Bear CR | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 1,186 | 1930 |
| Bu 240 E over Kcs Rr | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 705 | 1934 |
| RT H S over Salt Fork CR | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 398 | 1947 |
| RT A S over Moniteau CR | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 263 | 1953 |
| County RD 415 over Prairie Fk | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 100 | 1910 |
| N Mulberry ST over Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 100 | 1974 |
| RT U E over Bonne Femme CR | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 74 | 1958 |
| County RD 138 over Moniteau CR | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 50 | 1900 |
| County RD 448 over Salt CR | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 50 | 1968 |
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.