Polk County Bridge Report Card
Polk County scores 72 out of 100 on BridgeLookup's Bridge Condition Exposure Score, based on FHWA National Bridge Inventory records.
Polk County, Tennessee
Polk County has 139 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, with 12 rated poor and 2 rated scour-critical. Its poor-condition share of 8.6% is above the 4.4% statewide average. Poor-condition bridges carry about 33,823 daily vehicle crossings.
Quote-Ready Local Facts
Copyable Facts for Reporters
BridgeLookup.com gives Polk County a Bridge Condition Exposure Score of 72/100 (C). The county has 139 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, including 12 in poor condition and 2 rated scour-critical. Poor-condition bridges carry about 33,823 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 | 8.6% | 17.3 |
| Poor-condition traffic exposure | 25 | 10.9% of measured traffic | 8.1 |
| Scour-critical bridge share | 20 | 1.4% | 2.9 |
| Average age vs national baseline | 10 | 46 years vs 48 nationally | 0.0 |
| Traffic-data completeness | 5 | 311,698 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 | 8.6% |
| State Poor-Condition Share | 4.4% |
| National Poor-Condition Share | 6.7% |
| County Scour-Critical Share | 1.4% |
| Average Bridge Age | 46 years |
| Poor-Condition Traffic Exposure | 33,823 vehicles/day |
Bridges to Watch
Top Bridges to Watch in Polk County
| Bridge | Reason | Condition | Daily Traffic | Year Built |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nfa 2268 (sa 7001) over Conasauga River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 107 | 1924 |
| Nfa A320 over Chestuee Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 100 | 1965 |
| Fap 33 347920n over Ocoee River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 8,437 | 2012 |
| Fap 402 (sr 40) over Cloud Branch | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 6,975 | 1929 |
| Fap 68 over Davis Mill Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 5,918 | 1931 |
| Fap 402 (sr 40) over Burra-burra Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 4,700 | 1940 |
| Fap 68 over Brush Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 3,340 | 1943 |
| Fap 68 over SR 40 | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 3,340 | 1966 |
| Nfa 1221 (sa 7014) over Branch | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 646 | 1960 |
| Nfa A074 over Tumbling Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 170 | 1936 |
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.