Nelson County Bridge Report Card
Nelson County scores 42 out of 100 on BridgeLookup's Bridge Condition Exposure Score, based on FHWA National Bridge Inventory records.
Nelson County, North Dakota
Nelson County has 23 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, with 4 rated poor and 2 rated scour-critical. Its poor-condition share of 17.4% is above the 11.1% statewide average. Poor-condition bridges carry about 330 daily vehicle crossings.
Quote-Ready Local Facts
Copyable Facts for Reporters
BridgeLookup.com gives Nelson County a Bridge Condition Exposure Score of 42/100 (F). The county has 23 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, including 4 in poor condition and 2 rated scour-critical. Poor-condition bridges carry about 330 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 | 6.7% of measured traffic | 5.0 |
| Scour-critical bridge share | 20 | 8.7% | 17.4 |
| Average age vs national baseline | 10 | 51 years vs 48 nationally | 1.2 |
| Traffic-data completeness | 5 | 4,926 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 | 11.1% |
| National Poor-Condition Share | 6.7% |
| County Scour-Critical Share | 8.7% |
| Average Bridge Age | 51 years |
| Poor-Condition Traffic Exposure | 330 vehicles/day |
Bridges to Watch
Top Bridges to Watch in Nelson County
| Bridge | Reason | Condition | Daily Traffic | Year Built |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nd Highway 1 over Sheyenne River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 300 | 1964 |
| County Highway over Sheyenne River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 20 | 1920 |
| County Highway over Sheyenne River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 5 | 1904 |
| County Highway over Sheyenne River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 5 | 1910 |
| County Highway over Sheyenne River | Scour-critical foundation rating | Good | 80 | 2020 |
| US Highway 2 over Bnrr Sep Over | High traffic | Good | 1,685 | 2023 |
| US Highway 2 over Bnrr Sep Over | High traffic | Fair | 1,455 | 1983 |
| Nd Highway 15 over Creek | High traffic | Fair | 510 | 1931 |
| County Highway over Forest River | High traffic | Fair | 166 | 1978 |
| County Highway over Sheyenne River | High traffic | Fair | 150 | 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.