Ward County Bridge Report Card
Ward County scores 82 out of 100 on BridgeLookup's Bridge Condition Exposure Score, based on FHWA National Bridge Inventory records.
Ward County, North Dakota
Ward County has 125 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, with 8 rated poor and 2 rated scour-critical. Its poor-condition share of 6.4% is at or below the 11.1% statewide average. Poor-condition bridges carry about 9,225 daily vehicle crossings.
Quote-Ready Local Facts
Copyable Facts for Reporters
BridgeLookup.com gives Ward County a Bridge Condition Exposure Score of 82/100 (B). The county has 125 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, including 8 in poor condition and 2 rated scour-critical. Poor-condition bridges carry about 9,225 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 | 6.4% | 12.8 |
| Poor-condition traffic exposure | 25 | 3.0% of measured traffic | 2.3 |
| Scour-critical bridge share | 20 | 1.6% | 3.2 |
| Average age vs national baseline | 10 | 43 years vs 48 nationally | 0.0 |
| Traffic-data completeness | 5 | 307,032 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 | 6.4% |
| State Poor-Condition Share | 11.1% |
| National Poor-Condition Share | 6.7% |
| County Scour-Critical Share | 1.6% |
| Average Bridge Age | 43 years |
| Poor-Condition Traffic Exposure | 9,225 vehicles/day |
Bridges to Watch
Top Bridges to Watch in Ward County
| Bridge | Reason | Condition | Daily Traffic | Year Built |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3rd St. N.e. over 4th AVE Bnrr Souris R. | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 9,000 | 1936 |
| County Road over Des Lacs River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 75 | 1972 |
| County Road over Des Lacs River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 25 | 1955 |
| County Road over Des Lacs River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 25 | 1965 |
| County Road over Second Larson Coulee | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 25 | 1965 |
| County Road over Egg Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 25 | 1965 |
| County Road over Coulee | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 25 | 1965 |
| County Road over Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 25 | 1967 |
| County Road over Egg Creek | Scour-critical foundation rating | Fair | 115 | 1971 |
| County Road over Little Deep Creek | Scour-critical foundation rating | Fair | 45 | 1965 |
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.