Vilas County Bridge Report Card
Vilas County scores 56 out of 100 on BridgeLookup's Bridge Condition Exposure Score, based on FHWA National Bridge Inventory records.
Vilas County, Wisconsin
Vilas County has 29 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, with 3 rated poor and 3 rated scour-critical. Its poor-condition share of 10.3% is above the 6.7% statewide average. Poor-condition bridges carry about 3,975 daily vehicle crossings.
Quote-Ready Local Facts
Copyable Facts for Reporters
BridgeLookup.com gives Vilas County a Bridge Condition Exposure Score of 56/100 (F). The county has 29 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, including 3 in poor condition and 3 rated scour-critical. Poor-condition bridges carry about 3,975 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 | 10.3% | 20.7 |
| Poor-condition traffic exposure | 25 | 4.6% of measured traffic | 3.4 |
| Scour-critical bridge share | 20 | 10.3% | 20.0 |
| Average age vs national baseline | 10 | 37 years vs 48 nationally | 0.0 |
| Traffic-data completeness | 5 | 86,720 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 | 10.3% |
| State Poor-Condition Share | 6.7% |
| National Poor-Condition Share | 6.7% |
| County Scour-Critical Share | 10.3% |
| Average Bridge Age | 37 years |
| Poor-Condition Traffic Exposure | 3,975 vehicles/day |
Bridges to Watch
Top Bridges to Watch in Vilas County
| Bridge | Reason | Condition | Daily Traffic | Year Built |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lrd Sugarbush Trai over Sugarbush Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 102 | 1940 |
| Lrd IRR (river Rd) over Bear River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 73 | 1958 |
| Ush 51 over Manitowish River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 3,800 | 1956 |
| Cth B over Helen Creek | Scour-critical foundation rating | Good | 1,087 | 1941 |
| Ush 45-sth 17-sth over Eagle River | High traffic | Fair | 14,000 | 2000 |
| Sth 17-sth 70 over Mud Creek | High traffic | Fair | 9,600 | 1981 |
| Sth 70 over Wisconsin River 53 | High traffic | Fair | 6,000 | 1993 |
| Sth 70 over Link Creek | High traffic | Fair | 5,700 | 1988 |
| Sth 47 over Mishonagon Creek | High traffic | Good | 4,800 | 2008 |
| Sth 70 over Saint Germain River | High traffic | Fair | 4,300 | 1968 |
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.