Rhea County Bridge Report Card
Rhea County scores 72 out of 100 on BridgeLookup's Bridge Condition Exposure Score, based on FHWA National Bridge Inventory records.
Rhea County, Tennessee
Rhea County has 100 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, with 6 rated poor and 7 rated scour-critical. Its poor-condition share of 6.0% is above the 4.4% statewide average. Poor-condition bridges carry about 13,736 daily vehicle crossings.
Quote-Ready Local Facts
Copyable Facts for Reporters
BridgeLookup.com gives Rhea County a Bridge Condition Exposure Score of 72/100 (C). The county has 100 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, including 6 in poor condition and 7 rated scour-critical. Poor-condition bridges carry about 13,736 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 | 6.0% | 12.0 |
| Poor-condition traffic exposure | 25 | 3.2% of measured traffic | 2.4 |
| Scour-critical bridge share | 20 | 7.0% | 14.0 |
| Average age vs national baseline | 10 | 47 years vs 48 nationally | 0.0 |
| Traffic-data completeness | 5 | 424,776 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 | 6.0% |
| State Poor-Condition Share | 4.4% |
| National Poor-Condition Share | 6.7% |
| County Scour-Critical Share | 7.0% |
| Average Bridge Age | 47 years |
| Poor-Condition Traffic Exposure | 13,736 vehicles/day |
Bridges to Watch
Top Bridges to Watch in Rhea County
| Bridge | Reason | Condition | Daily Traffic | Year Built |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fap 30 over Richland Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 6,443 | 1956 |
| Fap 29 over Overflow Piney River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 5,821 | 2008 |
| Nfa A386 over Clear Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 760 | 1994 |
| Nfa 2296 (sa 7218) over Whites Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 462 | 1956 |
| Nfa A024 over Roaring Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 210 | 1993 |
| Nfa A298 over Muddy Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 40 | 1950 |
| Fap 29 over Richland Creek | Scour-critical foundation rating | Fair | 23,414 | 1960 |
| Fap 29 over Richland Creek | Scour-critical foundation rating | Fair | 23,414 | 1960 |
| Fap 29 over Little Richland Creek | Scour-critical foundation rating | Fair | 15,352 | 1960 |
| Fap 29 over Little Richland Creek | Scour-critical foundation rating | Fair | 15,352 | 1960 |
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.