Washington County Bridge Report Card
Washington County scores 43 out of 100 on BridgeLookup's Bridge Condition Exposure Score, based on FHWA National Bridge Inventory records.
Washington County, Rhode Island
Washington County has 145 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, with 19 rated poor and 29 rated scour-critical. Its poor-condition share of 13.1% is at or below the 14.0% statewide average. Poor-condition bridges carry about 118,012 daily vehicle crossings.
Quote-Ready Local Facts
Copyable Facts for Reporters
BridgeLookup.com gives Washington County a Bridge Condition Exposure Score of 43/100 (F). The county has 145 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, including 19 in poor condition and 29 rated scour-critical. Poor-condition bridges carry about 118,012 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 | 13.1% | 26.2 |
| Poor-condition traffic exposure | 25 | 8.4% of measured traffic | 6.3 |
| Scour-critical bridge share | 20 | 20.0% | 20.0 |
| Average age vs national baseline | 10 | 58 years vs 48 nationally | 4.2 |
| Traffic-data completeness | 5 | 1,408,975 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 | 13.1% |
| State Poor-Condition Share | 14.0% |
| National Poor-Condition Share | 6.7% |
| County Scour-Critical Share | 20.0% |
| Average Bridge Age | 58 years |
| Poor-Condition Traffic Exposure | 118,012 vehicles/day |
Bridges to Watch
Top Bridges to Watch in Washington County
| Bridge | Reason | Condition | Daily Traffic | Year Built |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ri 216 High ST over Ashaway River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 3,184 | 1950 |
| Silver Lake Av over Saugatucket River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 1,461 | 1959 |
| Laurel Street over Ashaway River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 1,111 | 1900 |
| Shannock RD over Pawcatuck River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 830 | 1926 |
| North Switch RD over Wood River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 233 | 1930 |
| Barber Trail over Falls River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 17 | 1960 |
| US 1 Tower Hill RD over Ri 138 | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 46,800 | 1969 |
| Ri 78 West By-pass over Old Hopkinton RD | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 16,600 | 1975 |
| Ri 78 West By-pass over Ri 91 Brdfrd RD & Amtrak | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 12,829 | 1975 |
| US 1 Broad Street over Pawcatuck River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 12,200 | 1932 |
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.