Polk County Bridge Report Card
Polk County scores 54 out of 100 on BridgeLookup's Bridge Condition Exposure Score, based on FHWA National Bridge Inventory records.
Polk County, Missouri
Polk County has 184 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, with 32 rated poor and 1 rated scour-critical. Its poor-condition share of 17.4% is above the 8.8% statewide average. Poor-condition bridges carry about 24,975 daily vehicle crossings.
Quote-Ready Local Facts
Copyable Facts for Reporters
BridgeLookup.com gives Polk County a Bridge Condition Exposure Score of 54/100 (F). The county has 184 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, including 32 in poor condition and 1 rated scour-critical. Poor-condition bridges carry about 24,975 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 | 17.4% | 34.8 |
| Poor-condition traffic exposure | 25 | 9.1% of measured traffic | 6.8 |
| Scour-critical bridge share | 20 | 0.5% | 1.1 |
| Average age vs national baseline | 10 | 56 years vs 48 nationally | 3.3 |
| Traffic-data completeness | 5 | 275,872 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 | 17.4% |
| State Poor-Condition Share | 8.8% |
| National Poor-Condition Share | 6.7% |
| County Scour-Critical Share | 0.5% |
| Average Bridge Age | 56 years |
| Poor-Condition Traffic Exposure | 24,975 vehicles/day |
Bridges to Watch
Top Bridges to Watch in Polk County
| Bridge | Reason | Condition | Daily Traffic | Year Built |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| County RD S-244 over Lit Wilson CR | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 30 | 1900 |
| Mo 13 N over Dry Sac Rvr | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 10,782 | 1970 |
| Mo 13 N over Brush CR | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 6,729 | 1958 |
| RT H S over Pomme De Terre Rvr | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 1,184 | 1946 |
| RT H S over Schultz CR | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 1,085 | 1941 |
| RT N E over Saddler Br | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 766 | 1966 |
| RT P S over Br Of Ozark CR | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 708 | 1900 |
| Mo 123 S over Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 626 | 1926 |
| RT V E over Rute CR | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 514 | 1966 |
| RT C E over Lindley CR | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 495 | 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.