Total bridges
221
Public highway bridges in Polk County
County profile · official public datasets
Polk County, AR
221 public highway bridges tracked in the FHWA National Bridge Inventory: 20.8% rated Good, 66.5% Fair, 12.7% Poor.
- 221
- Public bridges
- 20.8%
- Good condition
- 12.7%
- Poor condition
The verdict
According to the Federal Highway Administration's 2024 National Bridge Inventory.
Polk County pairs a higher-than-median Poor-condition share among rated counties in the state with an older average build year than the state inventory.
- 70th
- of 75 on Poor share
- 12.7%
- Poor-condition share
- 221
- public highway bridges
- 1965
- avg year built
Poor is an FHWA condition category from the lowest applicable component rating (4 or below), not a live crossing-safety or closure decision. Rankings cover counties with at least five public highway bridges.
Polk County Bridge Snapshot
According to the Federal Highway Administration's 2024 National Bridge Inventory, Polk County ranks #70 of 75 Arkansas counties with at least 5 public highway bridges on Poor-condition share (lower share ranks better; currently 12.7%). Polk County, Arkansas contains 221 public highway bridges. Roughly 20.8% are rated “Good,” 66.5% “Fair,” and 12.7% “Poor.” Poor means the lowest applicable deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert rating is 4 or below on the 0–9 NBI scale. It is a condition category, not a live safety or closure decision.
Responsible agencies inspect covered bridges on risk-based intervals under current NBIS rules and submit inventory data to FHWA annually. The list below shows every NBI-tracked bridge in the county. Use the “Sort by” controls to change the ordering, and click any row for its reported inspection date, traffic count, and condition fields.
Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory. See methodology for full definitions.
Good condition
20.8%
46 of 221 rated 7-9
Fair condition
66.5%
147 of 221 rated 5-6
Poor condition
12.7%
28 of 221 rated 4 or below
In-state Poor-share rank
#70 of 75
Among Arkansas counties with 5+ bridges, lower share ranks better
Condition distribution
Share of 221 NBI-tracked bridges by lowest applicable component rating.
Good 20.8% (46)
Fair 66.5% (147)
Poor 12.7% (28)
Polk County's Poor-condition bridges carry 19,108 vehicle crossings a day
That is 7.1% of the county's reported daily bridge traffic on 12.7% of its bridges: Poor-condition structures carry less traffic than their share of the inventory. Each Poor bridge averages 682 crossings a day against 599 for a Good-condition one. A Poor rating is a condition category, not a closure or a live safety judgement; it means the lowest applicable component rating is 4 or below.
Computed over the 221 of 221 bridges in this county that report an average daily traffic count. Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2024 release.
60.6% of Polk County's bridges have passed the 50-year mark
134 of the 221 bridges with a recorded construction year were built in 1974 or earlier. Age alone is not a defect: a well-maintained older bridge can rate Good, and 20.8% of this county's inventory does. Even so, this older cohort is the population from which future Poor ratings are drawn, which is why the age profile below matters alongside the condition split above.
Cutoff derives from the 2024 release year minus a 50-year design life. Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2024 release.
One structure carries 26.7% of the county's Poor-condition bridge traffic
US 71 - Polk Co over Six Mile Creek, built 1940, carries 5,100 vehicles a day, the most of any Poor-rated structure here. The county's Poor-condition exposure is concentrated rather than evenly spread, so the 28-bridge count understates how much of the daily burden sits on a single crossing.
Share is of the 19,108 daily crossings on Poor-rated bridges that report a traffic count. Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2024 release.
When Polk County's bridges were built
221 bridges with a recorded construction year, grouped by decade
- 1900s 1
1900–1909
1 bridges
- 1910s 3
1910–1919
3 bridges
- 1920s 8
1920–1929
8 bridges
- 1930s
1930–1939
35 bridges
- 1940s
1940–1949
30 bridges
- 1950s
1950–1959
47 bridges
- 1960s 10
1960–1969
10 bridges
- 1970s 5
1970–1979
5 bridges
- 1980s
1980–1989
31 bridges
- 1990s
1990–1999
21 bridges
- 2000s 11
2000–2009
11 bridges
- 2010s 15
2010–2019
15 bridges
- 2020s 4
2020–2029
4 bridges
What this shows Construction peaked in the 1950s, when 47 of the county's bridges still in the inventory were built, which is 21.3% of those with a recorded year. That cohort is now 65 to 74 years old in the 2024 inventory. Its average build year is 1965, 15 years older than the Arkansas average of 1980.
How Polk County compares with Arkansas's closest counties by inventory size
The 5 Arkansas counties nearest Polk County in number of bridges, with their condition splits. Its 12.7% Poor share is the 6th-lowest of these 6. Its average build year of 1965 against a peer-group mean of 1981 is 16 years older.
Showing the 5 closest of 74 Arkansas counties eligible for comparison.
| County | Bridges | Good | Fair | Poor | Avg. built |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saline County | 231 | 56.7% | 39.4% | 3.9% | 1990 |
| Yell County | 227 | 54.6% | 44.1% | 1.3% | 1971 |
| Hot Spring County | 222 | 22.1% | 73% | 5% | 1972 |
| Polk County (this page) | 221 | 20.8% | 66.5% | 12.7% | 1965 |
| Faulkner County | 219 | 56.6% | 42% | 1.4% | 1987 |
| Miller County | 216 | 64.4% | 32.9% | 2.8% | 1986 |
Each share is of that county's own total tracked bridges; peers are the counties with 5 or more bridges whose inventory size is closest to Polk County's. Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2024 release.
Nationwide counties with similar inventory size or average build year
Two NBI-derived peer sets for Polk County, both outside Arkansas so the neighborhoods are not the same-state size table above.
Similar inventory size
Nearest county inventories outside AR (221 bridges here).
- Daviess County, IN · 221 bridges
- Beauregard County, LA · 221 bridges
- Crawford County, OH · 221 bridges
- Union County, OH · 221 bridges
Similar average build year
Nearest mean year-built outside AR (1965 here).
- Windsor County, VT · avg 1965 · 483 bridges
- Bedford County, PA · avg 1965 · 417 bridges
- Crawford County, PA · avg 1965 · 399 bridges
- Harper County, KS · avg 1965 · 372 bridges
Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2024 release. Peers floor at 10 bridges so stub inventories cannot own the match.
Fair-condition bridges (147)
FDR 140
FairOver: CROSSATOT RIVER
.05 MI W OF FDR 31, Polk, AR
Built 1992 ADT: 25
FDR 31
FairOver: COSSATOT RIVER
9.7 MI S OF HWY 375, Polk, AR
Built 1939 ADT: 50
FDR 496
FairOver: SHACK CREEK
2 MI N OF CTY RT 302, Polk, AR
Built 1979 ADT: 10
County Road 41
FairOver: Merren Creek-Polk County
0.1 SO SH 375, Polk, AR
Built 1982 Load: 0.0 t ADT: 195
CR 37
FairOver: Two Mile Creek- Polk
3.21 Miles So. of Potter, Polk, AR
Built 2016 Load: 0.0 t ADT: 221
County Road 22
FairOver: Buffalo Creek-Polk Co.
0.6 MI SOUTH SH 4, Polk, AR
Built 1986 Load: 1.8 t ADT: 24
Co. Rd. 8-Polk Co.
FairOver: Rolling Fork River
1.44 MI WEST Jct US 71&CR, Polk, AR
Built 1984 Load: 4.5 t ADT: 24
FDR 501A
FairOver: BLAYLOCK CREEK
.01 MI S OF FDR 106, Polk, AR
Built 2000 Load: 5.2 t ADT: 10
County Road 301
FairOver: Snake Creek-Polk Co.
0.70 Mi E CR 70 - B, Polk, AR
Built 1950 Load: 5.4 t ADT: 150
County Road 664
FairOver: Mill Creek - Polk Co.
1.76 NE SH 370, Polk, AR
Built 1945 Load: 5.4 t ADT: 20
County Road 4
FairOver: Cross Creek - Polk Co.
2.76 MI E OKLA STATE LINE, Polk, AR
Built 1935 Load: 6.4 t ADT: 40
FDR 30
FairOver: LITTLE BRUSHY CREEK
6.8 MI S OF CTY RT 42, Polk, AR
Built 1954 Load: 9.4 t ADT: 50
County Road 41
FairOver: Rock Creek - Polk Co.
0.22 MI E St Hwy 375, Polk, AR
Built 2014 Load: 10.0 t ADT: 195
County Road 17
FairOver: Hickory Creek - Polk Co.
1.6 MI W U S 71, Polk, AR
Built 1992 Load: 11.8 t ADT: 80
County Road 94
FairOver: Mill Creek - Polk Co
0.19 MI W JCT CORD 127, Polk, AR
Built 1985 Load: 12.7 t ADT: 256
Co. Rd. 87 Polk Co
FairOver: West Fork of Cedar Creek
0.4 MI N. SH 88 @ INK, Polk, AR
Built 1993 Load: 12.7 t ADT: 218
FDR 76
FairOver: IRONS FORK TRIB
9.861 MI SW OF HWY 270, Polk, AR
Built 1936 Load: 13.9 t ADT: 50
County Road 17
FairOver: Indian Creek-Polk County
4.2 M W OF US 71 & RD 17, Polk, AR
Built 1945 Load: 14.5 t ADT: 80
State Highway 246
FairOver: Faulkner Branch Polk Co.
13.9 MI E US 71, Polk, AR
Built 1948 Load: 15.4 t ADT: 140
County Road 41
FairOver: Rock Creek Relief - Polk
0.17 E SH 375, Polk, AR
Built 1935 Load: 16.3 t ADT: 195
State Hwy 8-Polk
FairOver: East Fork Board Camp Cr.
8.29 MI SO E JCT US 71, Polk, AR
Built 1948 Load: 16.3 t ADT: 1,800
US 71 - Polk Co.
FairOver: Drainage Ditch
14.49 MI N SEVIER CO LINE, Polk, AR
Built 1934 Load: 16.3 t ADT: 4,200
US 71 - Polk Co.
FairOver: Joshling Creek
1.0 MI N HATFIELD, Polk, AR
Built 1941 Load: 16.3 t ADT: 5,700
State Highway 88
FairOver: Briar Creek Polk Co.
0.9 MI E OF US 71 JCT, Polk, AR
Built 1955 Load: 16.3 t ADT: 3,700
State Highway 375
FairOver: Prairie Creek Polk Co.
0.3 MI S INTERSECT SH 8, Polk, AR
Built 1944 Load: 16.3 t ADT: 720
US 71-Polk Co
FairOver: McKinney Creek
0.20 MI N OF JCT SH 375, Polk, AR
Built 1935 Load: 17.2 t ADT: 6,600
SH 8
FairOver: Sulphur Creek - Polk Co.
0.2 MI W JCT SH 370, Polk, AR
Built 1950 Load: 17.2 t ADT: 1,800
SH 8 - Polk Co.
FairOver: Abernathey Branch
0.79 MI W MONTGOMERY CO, Polk, AR
Built 1951 Load: 17.2 t ADT: 680
Co Rd 125 Polk Co.
FairOver: Lake Wilhelmena Dam
0.57 MI W JCT SH 8, Polk, AR
Built 1957 Load: 17.2 t ADT: 194
E Bethesda Rd
FairOver: Casy Glen Creek- Mena
0.6 MI S JCT US 71, Polk, AR
Built 1935 Load: 17.2 t ADT: 344
County Road 25
FairOver: Six Mile Creek Polk Co.
0.25 M E US 71 & CO.RD 25, Polk, AR
Built 1988 Load: 17.2 t ADT: 50
County Road 4
FairOver: Cross Creek - Polk Co.
2.78 MI E OKLA LN CO RD 4, Polk, AR
Built 1987 Load: 17.2 t ADT: 40
County Road 62
FairOver: Sulphur Creek Polk Co.
1.36 Mi. SE Hwy 8, Polk, AR
Built 2014 Load: 17.2 t ADT: 78
State Highway 246
FairOver: Joshling Creek-Polk Co.
4.81 MI E OKLA ST LINE, Polk, AR
Built 1965 Load: 17.2 t ADT: 390
St Hwy 246
FairOver: Alexander Creek Polk Co.
16.86 MI E JCT US 71 246, Polk, AR
Built 1948 Load: 17.2 t ADT: 140
State Highway 375
FairOver: Prairie Creek Polk Co.
1.22 MI S JCT SH 8, Polk, AR
Built 1941 Load: 17.2 t ADT: 720
State Highway 8
FairOver: Dry Fork Creek - Polk Co
14.9 MI SE US 71, Polk, AR
Built 1956 Load: 18.1 t ADT: 798
US 71 - Polk Co.
FairOver: Carter Creek
1.61 MI N SEVIER CO L, Polk, AR
Built 1939 Load: 18.1 t ADT: 3,900
US 71 - Polk Co.
FairOver: Fork Creek
10.31 MI N SEVIER CO LN, Polk, AR
Built 1938 Load: 18.1 t ADT: 4,395
US 71-Polk Co
FairOver: Brier Creek
2.24 N OF JCT 71 & 88 E, Polk, AR
Built 1953 Load: 18.1 t ADT: 6,168
US 71-Polk Co
FairOver: Drainage Ditch
0.09 MI E OF ACORN, Polk, AR
Built 1966 Load: 18.1 t ADT: 3,100
510
FairOver: BOARD CAMP CREEK
NO DATA ENTERED, Polk, AR
Built 2010 Load: 18.8 t ADT: 50
SH 8 - Polk Co.
FairOver: BUTCHER KNIFE CREEK
2.74 Mi W Montgomery Co, Polk, AR
Built 1951 Load: 19.1 t ADT: 742
Morrow Street
FairOver: Ward Creek- City of Mena
N. JCT. U.S.71 & MORROW S, Polk, AR
Built 2003 Load: 19.1 t ADT: 3,500
State Highway 8
FairOver: Wolf Creek - Polk Co.
0.2 MI SE OF NUNLEY ARK, Polk, AR
Built 1948 Load: 19.1 t ADT: 1,800
State Highway 8
FairOver: Prairie Creek - Polk Co.
1.86 MI E US 71-9, Polk, AR
Built 1949 Load: 20.0 t ADT: 3,070
State Highway 88
FairOver: Cedar Creek Polk County
6.24 MI E JCT OF US 71, Polk, AR
Built 1950 Load: 20.0 t ADT: 2,250
State Highway 88
FairOver: Southern Creek - Polk Co
9.43 MI EAST US 71 JCT, Polk, AR
Built 1952 Load: 20.0 t ADT: 1,400
State Highway 88
FairOver: Polk Creek-Polk Co.
10.21 MI EAST US 71 JCT, Polk, AR
Built 1952 Load: 20.0 t ADT: 1,400
State Highway 88
FairOver: Turbin Creek-Polk County
11.5 MI E OF US 71 JCT, Polk, AR
Built 1952 Load: 20.0 t ADT: 1,400
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Related
Data sourced from official public datasets. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainBridges
Every figure on PlainBridges is rendered directly from federal source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on federal source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. NBI condition categories reflect the latest reported inventory record, not a live safety, closure, or travel decision.