FHWA NBI 2026 Inspection record Public-domain dataset

LRD RIVER ROAD

Carrying LRD RIVER ROAD over OTTER CREEK

0.7M E JCT STH 60, Sauk, Wisconsin

FHWA NBI inspection record for this structure. Condition ratings, inventory load rating, span, deck width, and average daily traffic refresh annually with each NBI release.

Good
32 t Inventory load rating

Bridge Snapshot: LRD RIVER ROAD

The LRD RIVER ROAD bridge in Sauk, Wisconsin carries LRD RIVER ROAD over OTTER CREEK. It was built in 1988, making it 38 years old today. The structure is built primarily of concrete and spans 1 section, stretching 10.9 meters (36 feet) end to end. Daily traffic averages 1,179 vehicles, placing it in the moderately-trafficked tier of Wisconsin bridges. It is owned and maintained by Town/Township Highway Agency, the entity responsible for routine inspections and any needed repairs.

The latest FHWA inspection records show a deck rating of 7/9, superstructure at 7/9, substructure at 8/9 on the 0–9 NBI scale, where 9 is excellent and 0 is failed. The weakest component sits in good condition, which drives the overall status of this bridge. No major component scores in the poor range, so the bridge is not classified as structurally deficient under federal criteria. Its NBI inventory load rating is 32.4 metric tons — the load level the structure is rated to carry at inventory (long-term) level.

In a county that maintains hundreds of NBI-tracked bridges, LRD RIVER ROAD is one data point in a Wisconsin inventory that FHWA inspects on a two-year cycle (more often when ratings fall). Bridge age alone is not a reliable safety signal — a 38-era structure can outperform a newer one when maintenance is consistent, materials are sound, and traffic loads stay within design limits. Use the condition ratings above, the sufficiency score, and the structurally-deficient flag together to read the bridge's real status, and check the linked county and state pages to see how this bridge ranks against its peers.

Every figure on this page comes directly from the Federal Highway Administration National Bridge Inventory (NBI), the public dataset that catalogs more than 617,000 highway bridges across the United States and is updated annually from the records that each state Department of Transportation submits to the FHWA. The condition codes use the standardized FHWA Recording and Coding Guide, the same scale that determines federal eligibility for the Highway Bridge Program and the Surface Transportation Block Grant set-aside for off-system bridges. A "structurally deficient" classification under those federal criteria is a maintenance and funding flag, never a closure order; states keep deficient bridges open with load posting, weight limits, or accelerated inspection cycles until rehabilitation or replacement is funded. See our methodology for refresh cadence and the exact NBI release vintage powering each record.

How LRD RIVER ROAD compares

▼ 0.9
Load rating vs Wisconsin average (33.3 t)
Bottom 32%
Lower load rating than 68% of Wisconsin bridges
277
Bridges in Sauk · 24 structurally deficient
LRD RIVER ROAD 32.4 t
Wisconsin average 33.3 t

NBI inventory load rating (metric tons) and structural-deficiency status compared across Wisconsin, computed live from the FHWA NBI.

Condition Ratings

Deck
7/9
Good (7–9)
Superstructure
7/9
Good (7–9)
Substructure
8/9
Good (7–9)
Inventory Load Rating
32.4 t
NBI inventory level (metric tons)
SD Status
Not SD

Ratings are on a 0–9 scale: 9 = Excellent, 7–8 = Good, 5–6 = Fair, 3–4 = Poor, 0–2 = Critical/Failed. Sufficiency rating (0–100) combines structural adequacy, functional obsolescence, and essentiality.

Structural Details

Year Built
1988
Material
Concrete
Number of Spans
1
Structure Length
10.9 m (36 ft)
Deck Width
9.1 m (30 ft)
Owner
Town/Township Highway Agency
Avg Daily Traffic
1,179 vehicles/day
Structure Number
B56009000000000

Location

0.7M E JCT STH 60, Sauk, Wisconsin
43.263725, -89.784725
View on Google Maps ↗

Data Source

Data from the FHWA National Bridge Inventory (NBI). Bridge inspections are required every two years by federal law. Conditions reflect the most recent inspection.

FHWA NBI Program ↗

Condition Analysis

Built in 1988, this bridge is 38 years old. It carries approximately 1,179 vehicles per day. Based on the most recent FHWA inspection:

  • The deck (driving surface) is in good condition (7/9), showing no significant deterioration.
  • The superstructure (beams and supports above the deck) is in good condition (7/9), showing no significant deterioration.
  • The substructure (piers and abutments) is in good condition (8/9), showing no significant deterioration.

Its NBI inventory load rating reflects the load level it is rated to carry.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do the condition ratings mean for LRD RIVER ROAD?

Bridge condition ratings use a 0–9 scale set by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Ratings 7–9 indicate good condition with no significant problems. Ratings 5–6 mean fair condition with minor issues. Ratings 3–4 indicate poor condition requiring repair. Ratings 0–2 are critical, meaning the bridge has serious structural problems. LRD RIVER ROAD in Sauk, Wisconsin has a deck rating of 7/9, superstructure rating of 7/9, and substructure rating of 8/9.

How often is LRD RIVER ROAD inspected?

Federal law requires most highway bridges to be inspected at least every 24 months. Bridges in poor condition or with known issues may be inspected more frequently (every 12 months or less). LRD RIVER ROAD is part of the National Bridge Inventory maintained by the FHWA. With 1,179 vehicles crossing daily, regular inspection is essential.

What does "structurally deficient" mean for a bridge?

A structurally deficient bridge has at least one major component (deck, superstructure, or substructure) rated 4 or below on the FHWA 0–9 scale. This classification does NOT mean the bridge is unsafe for travel — it means the bridge needs repair, rehabilitation, or eventual replacement. Structurally deficient bridges remain open and are monitored. LRD RIVER ROAD is not classified as structurally deficient.

What is the inventory load rating for LRD RIVER ROAD?

The NBI inventory rating is the load level a bridge is rated to carry for an indefinite period, recorded in metric tons. A lower number means the structure is more load-restricted. LRD RIVER ROAD has an inventory load rating of 32.4 metric tons. It is distinct from the FHWA sufficiency rating, a separate 0–100 funding-eligibility score that this dataset does not include.

Who is responsible for maintaining LRD RIVER ROAD?

Bridge ownership and maintenance responsibility varies — bridges may be owned by state DOTs, counties, cities, railroads, or federal agencies. LRD RIVER ROAD is maintained by Town/Township Highway Agency. The FHWA oversees the National Bridge Inventory program and sets inspection standards, but day-to-day maintenance falls to the owning agency. If you notice damage or safety concerns, contact your state DOT or call 911 for emergencies.

How old is LRD RIVER ROAD and does age affect safety?

LRD RIVER ROAD was built in 1988, making it 38 years old. Bridge age alone does not determine safety — condition depends on materials, design, traffic load, maintenance history, and environmental exposure. Many older bridges remain in good condition due to regular maintenance and reconstruction.

Disclaimer: Bridge condition data is from the FHWA NBI and reflects the last reported inspection. A structurally deficient rating does not mean a bridge is closed or unsafe for travel — it indicates the bridge requires repair or replacement. For current closure or safety information, contact your state DOT.

Related

Data sourced from official U.S. government datasets. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainBridges Editorial