Bell County Bridge Report Card
Bell County scores 99 out of 100 on BridgeLookup's Bridge Condition Exposure Score, based on FHWA National Bridge Inventory records.
Bell County, Texas
Bell County has 654 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, with 1 rated poor and 3 rated scour-critical. Its poor-condition share of 0.2% is at or below the 1.2% statewide average. Poor-condition bridges carry about 338 daily vehicle crossings.
Quote-Ready Local Facts
Copyable Facts for Reporters
BridgeLookup.com gives Bell County a Bridge Condition Exposure Score of 99/100 (A). The county has 654 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, including 1 in poor condition and 3 rated scour-critical. Poor-condition bridges carry about 338 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 | 0.2% | 0.3 |
| Poor-condition traffic exposure | 25 | 0.0% of measured traffic | 0.0 |
| Scour-critical bridge share | 20 | 0.5% | 0.9 |
| Average age vs national baseline | 10 | 42 years vs 48 nationally | 0.0 |
| Traffic-data completeness | 5 | 7,848,382 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 | 0.2% |
| State Poor-Condition Share | 1.2% |
| National Poor-Condition Share | 6.7% |
| County Scour-Critical Share | 0.5% |
| Average Bridge Age | 42 years |
| Poor-Condition Traffic Exposure | 338 vehicles/day |
Bridges to Watch
Top Bridges to Watch in Bell County
| Bridge | Reason | Condition | Daily Traffic | Year Built |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Central AVE over Nolan Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 338 | 1920 |
| Bu 190 over Little Nolan Creek | Scour-critical foundation rating | Fair | 8,887 | 1939 |
| FM 438 over Little Elm Creek | Scour-critical foundation rating | Fair | 2,025 | 1948 |
| FM 2484 over Lampasas River | Scour-critical foundation rating | Fair | 1,776 | 1966 |
| IH 35 over Skinner Branch | High traffic | Good | 146,391 | 2017 |
| IH 35 Ml over Lampasas River | High traffic | Fair | 93,724 | 2016 |
| IH 35 over Mitchell Branch | High traffic | Good | 93,724 | 2017 |
| US 190 Ebml over Rosewood Drive | High traffic | Good | 89,400 | 2022 |
| US 190 Wbml over Rosewood Drive | High traffic | Good | 89,400 | 2022 |
| IH 35 Ml & Fr over Bird Creek | High traffic | Good | 88,889 | 2017 |
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.