Polk County Bridge Report Card
Polk County scores 48 out of 100 on BridgeLookup's Bridge Condition Exposure Score, based on FHWA National Bridge Inventory records.
Polk County, Wisconsin
Polk County has 72 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, with 16 rated poor and 2 rated scour-critical. Its poor-condition share of 22.2% is above the 6.7% statewide average. Poor-condition bridges carry about 10,050 daily vehicle crossings.
Quote-Ready Local Facts
Copyable Facts for Reporters
BridgeLookup.com gives Polk County a Bridge Condition Exposure Score of 48/100 (F). The county has 72 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, including 16 in poor condition and 2 rated scour-critical. Poor-condition bridges carry about 10,050 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 | 22.2% | 40.0 |
| Poor-condition traffic exposure | 25 | 8.1% of measured traffic | 6.0 |
| Scour-critical bridge share | 20 | 2.8% | 5.6 |
| Average age vs national baseline | 10 | 43 years vs 48 nationally | 0.0 |
| Traffic-data completeness | 5 | 124,747 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 | 22.2% |
| State Poor-Condition Share | 6.7% |
| National Poor-Condition Share | 6.7% |
| County Scour-Critical Share | 2.8% |
| Average Bridge Age | 43 years |
| Poor-Condition Traffic Exposure | 10,050 vehicles/day |
Bridges to Watch
Top Bridges to Watch in Polk County
| Bridge | Reason | Condition | Daily Traffic | Year Built |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cth H over Apple River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 1,600 | 1952 |
| Cth F over Wapogasset Branch | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 720 | 1920 |
| Sth 243 over ST Croix River 06 | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 5,686 | 1953 |
| Cth I over Clam River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 490 | 1948 |
| Cth Cc over Black Brook Flowage | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 450 | 1986 |
| Cth W over Mckenzie Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 288 | 1956 |
| Lrd 75th ST over Beaver Brook | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 205 | 1966 |
| Lrd 350th AVE over Wood River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 173 | 1970 |
| Lrd 30th ST over Willow River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 100 | 1960 |
| Lrd 60th AVE over Bull Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 86 | 1974 |
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.