Highland County Bridge Report Card
Highland County scores 76 out of 100 on BridgeLookup's Bridge Condition Exposure Score, based on FHWA National Bridge Inventory records.
Highland County, Virginia
Highland County has 53 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, with 3 rated poor and 0 rated scour-critical. Its poor-condition share of 5.7% is above the 3.4% statewide average. Poor-condition bridges carry about 1,622 daily vehicle crossings.
Quote-Ready Local Facts
Copyable Facts for Reporters
BridgeLookup.com gives Highland County a Bridge Condition Exposure Score of 76/100 (C). The county has 53 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, including 3 in poor condition and 0 rated scour-critical. Poor-condition bridges carry about 1,622 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 | 5.7% | 11.3 |
| Poor-condition traffic exposure | 25 | 9.8% of measured traffic | 7.4 |
| Scour-critical bridge share | 20 | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| Average age vs national baseline | 10 | 60 years vs 48 nationally | 5.0 |
| Traffic-data completeness | 5 | 16,480 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 | 5.7% |
| State Poor-Condition Share | 3.4% |
| National Poor-Condition Share | 6.7% |
| County Scour-Critical Share | 0.0% |
| Average Bridge Age | 60 years |
| Poor-Condition Traffic Exposure | 1,622 vehicles/day |
Bridges to Watch
Top Bridges to Watch in Highland County
| Bridge | Reason | Condition | Daily Traffic | Year Built |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Potomac River Road over E Branch Strait Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 1,314 | 1931 |
| Blugrass Valley RD over S Br Potomac River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 244 | 1950 |
| Big Valley Road over Dry Branch | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 64 | 1926 |
| Potomac River Road over S Branch Potomac River | High traffic | Fair | 1,314 | 1931 |
| Potomac River RD over Strait Creek | High traffic | Fair | 1,314 | 1931 |
| Potomac Rver Road over Peck Run | High traffic | Good | 1,314 | 2000 |
| Highland Tpke over Crab Run | High traffic | Fair | 1,057 | 1976 |
| RTE 250 over Crab Run @ Mcdowell | High traffic | Good | 1,057 | 2012 |
| Highland Turnpike over Cowpasture River | High traffic | Good | 1,022 | 1994 |
| Highland Turnpike over Bullpasture River @ Mc D | High traffic | Good | 1,022 | 1998 |
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.