Loading... unlike some bridges, we promise not to leave you hanging.
Loading... unlike some bridges, we promise not to leave you hanging.
Infrastructure Grade
Infrastructure Report Card
18.6% of bridges in poor condition
Total Bridges
23,716
Poor Condition
4,423(18.6%)
Avg Bridge Age
46 yrs
Trend
Improving
| Metric | Iowa | National Avg | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| % Poor Condition | 18.6% | 6.7% | Improving |
| vs. National Average | +11.9 pts | -- | -- |
| Average Bridge Age | 46 yrs | 48 yrs | -- |
| Good or Better | 8,462(35.7%) | -- | -- |
Grade Scale
Percentage of bridges in poor condition over time. The dashed line shows the national average for comparison.
Total Bridges
23,716
Poor Condition
4,423(18.6%)
Average Age
46 yrs
Daily Crossings
34.8M
Good or Better
8,462(35.7%)
These bridges have at least one major component rated "5" (Fair) — one step above the poor threshold. Sorted by daily traffic to highlight highest-impact structures at risk.
| Bridge | Location | Deck | Super | Sub | Daily Traffic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WB I-235 | Polk County | 7 | 5 | 6 | 58,050 |
| I-480 & US 6 | Pottawattamie County | 7 | 6 | 5 | 53,700 |
| WB I-235 | Polk County | 5 | 5 | 6 | 51,400 |
| I 35 NB I 80 EB | Polk County | 7 | 7 | 5 | 51,050 |
| NB I-35 EB I-80 | Polk County | 5 | 7 | 6 | 48,850 |
| SB I-35 WB I-80 | Polk County | 6 | 7 | 5 | 48,000 |
| I-80 WB & I-35 SB | Polk County | 5 | 7 | 6 | 47,050 |
| EB I-80 | Polk County | 5 | 7 | 7 | 45,300 |
| EB I-80 | Polk County | 5 | 7 | 7 | 45,300 |
| NB I-35 EB I-80 | Polk County | 5 | 7 | 5 | 44,550 |
| NB I-35 EB I-80 | Polk County | 5 | 7 | 6 | 44,550 |
| WB I-80 | Polk County | 5 | 7 | 7 | 44,500 |
| WB I-80 | Polk County | 5 | 5 | 7 | 44,500 |
| SB I-35 WB I-80 | Polk County | 5 | 8 | 5 | 43,750 |
| SB I-35 WB I-80 | Polk County | 5 | 6 | 6 | 43,750 |
The 10 bridges in poorest condition, ranked by lowest sufficiency rating.
over WHITEBREAST CREEK
over BOYER RIVER
over BEAVER CREEK
over MOSQUITO CREEK
over E FORK OF DES MOINES
over PRAIRIE CREEK
over WALNUT CREEK
over OVER I.C.E. RR
over LIME CR
over STREAM
States with similar infrastructure profiles, ranked by percentage of bridges in poor condition.
Grading: Grades are based on the percentage of bridges classified as "poor condition." A bridge is in poor condition when at least one major component (deck, superstructure, or substructure) is rated 4 or below on the NBI 0-9 scale.
Data Source: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) National Bridge Inventory (NBI). Data is updated annually. BridgeStats is not affiliated with or endorsed by the FHWA.
Watchlist Criteria: Bridges with any component rated "5" (Fair) are one step from the poor threshold of 4 and are flagged for monitoring. These bridges are not yet in poor condition but may deteriorate without maintenance.