Dawes County Bridge Report Card
Dawes County scores 61 out of 100 on BridgeLookup's Bridge Condition Exposure Score, based on FHWA National Bridge Inventory records.
Dawes County, Nebraska
Dawes County has 90 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, with 10 rated poor and 5 rated scour-critical. Its poor-condition share of 11.1% is above the 7.5% statewide average. Poor-condition bridges carry about 485 daily vehicle crossings.
Quote-Ready Local Facts
Copyable Facts for Reporters
BridgeLookup.com gives Dawes County a Bridge Condition Exposure Score of 61/100 (D). The county has 90 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, including 10 in poor condition and 5 rated scour-critical. Poor-condition bridges carry about 485 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 | 11.1% | 22.2 |
| Poor-condition traffic exposure | 25 | 0.7% of measured traffic | 0.5 |
| Scour-critical bridge share | 20 | 5.6% | 11.1 |
| Average age vs national baseline | 10 | 61 years vs 48 nationally | 5.1 |
| Traffic-data completeness | 5 | 70,440 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 | 11.1% |
| State Poor-Condition Share | 7.5% |
| National Poor-Condition Share | 6.7% |
| County Scour-Critical Share | 5.6% |
| Average Bridge Age | 61 years |
| Poor-Condition Traffic Exposure | 485 vehicles/day |
Bridges to Watch
Top Bridges to Watch in Dawes County
| Bridge | Reason | Condition | Daily Traffic | Year Built |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main Street over White River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 100 | 1935 |
| Mann Road over Chadron Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 15 | 1935 |
| Mann Road over Chadron Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 10 | 1935 |
| Field Drive over Spring Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 10 | 1955 |
| S23a Whitney Spur over White River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 225 | 1937 |
| Airport Road over White River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 50 | 1936 |
| County Highway over White River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 40 | 1935 |
| Pineview Road over Big Bordeaux Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 25 | 1935 |
| Country Club Road over Chadron Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 5 | 1935 |
| County Highway over Squaw Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 5 | 1935 |
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.