Total bridges
120
Public highway bridges in Chaves County
County profile · official public datasets
Chaves County, NM
120 public highway bridges tracked in the FHWA National Bridge Inventory: 33.3% rated Good, 64.2% Fair, 2.5% Poor.
- 120
- Public bridges
- 33.3%
- Good condition
- 2.5%
- Poor condition
The verdict
According to the Federal Highway Administration's 2024 National Bridge Inventory.
Chaves County posts a better-than-median Poor-condition share among rated counties in the state across mid-size county bridge inventory.
- Top 38%
- lowest Poor share in state
- 2.5%
- Poor-condition share
- 120
- public highway bridges
- 1970
- 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.
Chaves County Bridge Snapshot
According to the Federal Highway Administration's 2024 National Bridge Inventory, Chaves County ranks #12 of 32 New Mexico counties with at least 5 public highway bridges on Poor-condition share (lower share ranks better; currently 2.5%). Chaves County, New Mexico contains 120 public highway bridges. Roughly 33.3% are rated “Good,” 64.2% “Fair,” and 2.5% “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
33.3%
40 of 120 rated 7-9
Fair condition
64.2%
77 of 120 rated 5-6
Poor condition
2.5%
3 of 120 rated 4 or below
In-state Poor-share rank
#12 of 32
Among New Mexico counties with 5+ bridges, lower share ranks better
Condition distribution
Share of 120 NBI-tracked bridges by lowest applicable component rating.
Good 33.3% (40)
Fair 64.2% (77)
Poor 2.5% (3)
Chaves County's Poor-condition bridges carry 5,710 vehicle crossings a day
That is 1.4% of the county's reported daily bridge traffic on 2.5% of its bridges: Poor-condition structures carry less traffic than their share of the inventory. Each Poor bridge averages 1,903 crossings a day against 4,605 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 120 of 120 bridges in this county that report an average daily traffic count. Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2024 release.
59.2% of Chaves County's bridges have passed the 50-year mark
71 of the 120 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 33.3% 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 92.5% of the county's Poor-condition bridge traffic
FL-5722 over NORTH SPRING RIVER, built 1960, carries 5,280 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 3-bridge count understates how much of the daily burden sits on a single crossing.
Share is of the 5,710 daily crossings on Poor-rated bridges that report a traffic count. Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2024 release.
When Chaves County's bridges were built
120 bridges with a recorded construction year, grouped by decade
- 1930s
1930–1939
16 bridges
- 1940s
1940–1949
10 bridges
- 1950s
1950–1959
14 bridges
- 1960s
1960–1969
25 bridges
- 1970s
1970–1979
11 bridges
- 1980s
1980–1989
16 bridges
- 1990s
1990–1999
16 bridges
- 2000s 6
2000–2009
6 bridges
- 2010s 3
2010–2019
3 bridges
- 2020s 3
2020–2029
3 bridges
What this shows Construction peaked in the 1960s, when 25 of the county's bridges still in the inventory were built, which is 20.8% of those with a recorded year. That cohort is now 55 to 64 years old in the 2024 inventory. Its average build year (1970) matches the New Mexico average (1973).
How Chaves County compares with New Mexico's closest counties by inventory size
The 5 New Mexico counties nearest Chaves County in number of bridges, with their condition splits. Its 2.5% Poor share is the 3rd-lowest of these 6. Its average build year of 1970 against a peer-group mean of 1973 is in line with the group.
Showing the 5 closest of 31 New Mexico counties eligible for comparison.
| County | Bridges | Good | Fair | Poor | Avg. built |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Otero County | 132 | 38.6% | 61.4% | 0% | 1976 |
| Lincoln County | 131 | 37.4% | 61.1% | 1.5% | 1977 |
| Cibola County | 127 | 49.6% | 40.2% | 10.2% | 1971 |
| Chaves County (this page) | 120 | 33.3% | 64.2% | 2.5% | 1970 |
| Quay County | 118 | 34.7% | 58.5% | 6.8% | 1968 |
| Sierra County | 108 | 27.8% | 67.6% | 4.6% | 1971 |
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 Chaves 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 Chaves County, both outside New Mexico so the neighborhoods are not the same-state size table above.
Similar inventory size
Nearest county inventories outside NM (120 bridges here).
- Matanuska-Susitna County, AK · 120 bridges
- Indian River County, FL · 120 bridges
- Perry County, MO · 120 bridges
- Schuyler County, MO · 120 bridges
Similar average build year
Nearest mean year-built outside NM (1970 here).
- Hamilton County, OH · avg 1970 · 783 bridges
- Yavapai County, AZ · avg 1970 · 543 bridges
- Garfield County, OK · avg 1970 · 504 bridges
- San Luis Obispo County, CA · avg 1970 · 401 bridges
Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2024 release. Peers floor at 10 bridges so stub inventories cannot own the match.
Fair-condition bridges (77)
FL-5815
FairOver: RIO HONDO
300 N S. RICHARSON/BLAND, Chaves, NM
Built 2001 Load: 16.6 t ADT: 1,294
FL-5817
FairOver: SPRING RIVER
0.7 MI N OF US-380, Chaves, NM
Built 1953 Load: 16.6 t ADT: 3,955
FL-5702
FairOver: RIO HONDO
50 S OF W DEMING ST., Chaves, NM
Built 1960 Load: 21.3 t ADT: 193
NM-2
FairOver: RIO FELIX
1.0 MI N. OF JCT NM 249, Chaves, NM
Built 1985 Load: 21.6 t ADT: 2,369
US-285
FairOver: UNNAMED WATERWAY
0.45 MI NW OF JCT NM-20, Chaves, NM
Built 1937 Load: 22.7 t ADT: 2,970
US-380
FairOver: UNNAMED WATERWAY
15.7 MI E JCT US-285/ROSW, Chaves, NM
Built 1936 Load: 22.7 t ADT: 2,263
US-380
FairOver: PECOS RIVER OVERFLOW
6.1 M E JCT US-285/ROSWEL, Chaves, NM
Built 1939 Load: 22.7 t ADT: 3,120
US-380
FairOver: HONDO RIVER
5.8 M E JCT US-285/ROSWEL, Chaves, NM
Built 1939 Load: 22.7 t ADT: 3,120
05-Z000
FairOver: RIO HONDO
300 S JCT US 380 & ELM, Chaves, NM
Built 1960 Load: 22.7 t ADT: 193
FL-5817
FairOver: RIO HONDO
100 S OF TILDEN ST., Chaves, NM
Built 1960 Load: 22.7 t ADT: 3,511
US-70
FairOver: FALSEY DRAW
41.4 M NE OF JCT US-285, Chaves, NM
Built 1938 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 1,788
US-380
FairOver: UNNAMED WATERWAY
41.2 M E JCT US-285/ROSWL, Chaves, NM
Built 1937 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 2,263
US-380
FairOver: PECOS RIVER OVERFLOW
6.5 M E JCT US-285/ROSWEL, Chaves, NM
Built 1939 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 3,120
05-0184
FairOver: RIO HONDO
3 M S & 2.7 M W US-70/285, Chaves, NM
Built 1974 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 192
US-285 NBL
FairOver: RIO FELIX
14.2 MI S OF NM-2/ROSWELL, Chaves, NM
Built 1998 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 9,316
US-285 SBL
FairOver: RIO FELIX
14.2 MI S OF NM-2/ROSWELL, Chaves, NM
Built 1998 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 9,316
FL-5710
FairOver: HONDO RIVER
150 W JCT US-285 & ALB., Chaves, NM
Built 1979 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 193
FL-5722
FairOver: HONDO RIVER
0.2 MI S OF US-380/ROSWEL, Chaves, NM
Built 1960 Load: 25.9 t ADT: 5,391
FL-5719
FairOver: RIO HONDO
50 E OF KENTUCKY AVE., Chaves, NM
Built 1960 Load: 25.9 t ADT: 193
FL-4710
FairOver: RIO HONDO
0.2 MI N. OF JCT US-380, Chaves, NM
Built 1960 Load: 25.9 t ADT: 7,696
NM-24
FairOver: UNNAMED WATERWAY
2.3 MI S OF US-82/DUNKEN, Chaves, NM
Built 1955 Load: 26.1 t ADT: 75
NM-24
FairOver: PENASCO RIVER
0.2 MI S OF US-82/DUNKEN, Chaves, NM
Built 1955 Load: 26.3 t ADT: 75
FL-4685
FairOver: NORTH SPRING RIVER
0.7 M N OF US-380/ROSWELL, Chaves, NM
Built 1953 Load: 26.8 t ADT: 18,631
FL-5714
FairOver: SPRING RIVER
500 E OF WASHINGTION, Chaves, NM
Built 1955 Load: 27.5 t ADT: 1,858
FL-5818
FairOver: SPRING RIVER
50 N OF 7TH STREET, Chaves, NM
Built 1955 Load: 27.5 t ADT: 2,409
FL-5704
FairOver: SPRING RIVER
JCT 7TH & WASHINGTION, Chaves, NM
Built 1930 Load: 27.5 t ADT: 193
FL-5703
FairOver: SPRING RIVER
100 N OF 10TH STREET, Chaves, NM
Built 1930 Load: 27.5 t ADT: 193
FL-5702
FairOver: SPRING RIVER
JCT KENTUCKY & 9TH ST, Chaves, NM
Built 1930 Load: 27.5 t ADT: 193
FL-5701
FairOver: SPRING RIVER
JCT MISSOURI & 9TH ST, Chaves, NM
Built 1930 Load: 27.5 t ADT: 193
FL-4710
FairOver: SPRING RIVER
800 S OF COLLEGE BLVD, Chaves, NM
Built 1930 Load: 27.5 t ADT: 8,002
US-380
FairOver: PECOS RIVER
7.2 MI E US-70/285-ROSWEL, Chaves, NM
Built 1987 Load: 28.8 t ADT: 3,120
FL-5818
FairOver: RIO HONDO
100 S OF JCT SUMMIT ST., Chaves, NM
Built 1960 Load: 29.2 t ADT: 1,361
US-70/285 RR
FairOver: SOUTH BERRENDO CREEK
3.8 Mi West of US-70/380, Chaves, NM
Built 1996 Load: 29.6 t ADT: 2,936
US-285
FairOver: FIVE MILE DRAW
23.7 M N JCT US70/N ROSWL, Chaves, NM
Built 1937 Load: 30.8 t ADT: 3,476
FL-5724
FairOver: NORTH SPRING RIVER
0.6 M N OF US-380 ON LEA, Chaves, NM
Built 1955 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 1,385
FL-4708
FairOver: HONDO RIVER
JCT MCGAFFEY-UNION/ROSWEL, Chaves, NM
Built 1953 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 4,679
FL-4685
FairOver: UNNAMED WATERWAY
4.2 M S JCT US70/380-285, Chaves, NM
Built 1947 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 10,844
US-82
FairOver: UNNAMED WATERWAY
13.1 M W JCT NM-24/DUNKEN, Chaves, NM
Built 1948 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 706
US-82
FairOver: ELK CANYON
12.3 M W JCT NM-24/DUNKEN, Chaves, NM
Built 1948 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 706
US-82
FairOver: UNNAMED WATERWAY
11.5 M W JCT NM-24/DUNKEN, Chaves, NM
Built 1948 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 706
US-82
FairOver: UNNAMED WATERWAY
11.1 M W JCT NM-24/DUNKEN, Chaves, NM
Built 1948 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 706
US-82
FairOver: UNNAMED WATERWAY
10.2 M W JCT NM-24/DUNKEN, Chaves, NM
Built 1948 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 706
US-82
FairOver: UNNAMED WATERWAY
5.5 MI W JCT NM-24/DUNKEN, Chaves, NM
Built 1948 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 706
US-380
FairOver: UNNAMED WATERWAY
2.8 MI W OF US-285/ROSWEL, Chaves, NM
Built 1955 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 4,645
US-285
FairOver: WALNUT CANYON
11.2 MI N OF US82/ARTESIA, Chaves, NM
Built 1965 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 9,498
US-285
FairOver: UNNAMED WATERWAY
16.0 MI N OF US82/ARTESIA, Chaves, NM
Built 1965 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 9,498
US-285
FairOver: ZUBER DIVERSION
12.4 MI S OF NM2/S ROSWEL, Chaves, NM
Built 1963 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 9,316
US-82
FairOver: UNNAMED WATERWAY
7.1 M W JCT NM-24/ DUNKEN, Chaves, NM
Built 1965 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 706
05-0049
FairOver: HAGERMAN CANAL
4.7 M N JCT NM-2 @ DEXTER, Chaves, NM
Built 1960 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 194
Caddo road (CRD-70
FairOver: HAGERMAN CANAL
.9 S & .2 W OF NM2/DEXTER, Chaves, NM
Built 1960 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 50
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.