Flathead County Bridge Report Card
Flathead County scores 87 out of 100 on BridgeLookup's Bridge Condition Exposure Score, based on FHWA National Bridge Inventory records.
Flathead County, Montana
Flathead County has 204 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, with 9 rated poor and 2 rated scour-critical. Its poor-condition share of 4.4% is at or below the 7.4% statewide average. Poor-condition bridges carry about 13,291 daily vehicle crossings.
Quote-Ready Local Facts
Copyable Facts for Reporters
BridgeLookup.com gives Flathead County a Bridge Condition Exposure Score of 87/100 (B). The county has 204 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, including 9 in poor condition and 2 rated scour-critical. Poor-condition bridges carry about 13,291 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 | 4.4% | 8.8 |
| Poor-condition traffic exposure | 25 | 2.9% of measured traffic | 2.2 |
| Scour-critical bridge share | 20 | 1.0% | 2.0 |
| Average age vs national baseline | 10 | 42 years vs 48 nationally | 0.0 |
| Traffic-data completeness | 5 | 461,795 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 | 4.4% |
| State Poor-Condition Share | 7.4% |
| National Poor-Condition Share | 6.7% |
| County Scour-Critical Share | 1.0% |
| Average Bridge Age | 42 years |
| Poor-Condition Traffic Exposure | 13,291 vehicles/day |
Bridges to Watch
Top Bridges to Watch in Flathead County
| Bridge | Reason | Condition | Daily Traffic | Year Built |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S 82 over Flathead River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 8,310 | 1955 |
| IRR - US 2 over Rr | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 2,225 | 1956 |
| Bridge ST over Swan River 110 | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 1,503 | 1911 |
| Irr-us 2 over Unstable Slope | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 1,013 | 1981 |
| W Reserve DR over Whitefish River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 100 | 1983 |
| Holt Stage RD over Flathead Riv Overfl0 014 | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 100 | 1992 |
| Forest Road over Good Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 20 | 1962 |
| Whale Creek Road over Whale Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 10 | 1954 |
| Forest Road over Graves Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 10 | 1970 |
| Whitefish Stage RD over Stillwater River | Scour-critical foundation rating | Fair | 7,156 | 1975 |
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.