County profile · official public datasets

McKinley County, NM

289 public highway bridges tracked in the FHWA National Bridge Inventory: 36.7% rated Good, 55% Fair, 8.3% Poor.

289
Public bridges
36.7%
Good condition
8.3%
Poor condition

The verdict

According to the Federal Highway Administration's 2024 National Bridge Inventory.

McKinley County posts a higher-than-median Poor-condition share among rated counties in the state across mid-size county bridge inventory.

29th
of 32 on Poor share
8.3%
Poor-condition share
289
public highway bridges
1976
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.

McKinley County Bridge Snapshot

According to the Federal Highway Administration's 2024 National Bridge Inventory, McKinley County ranks #29 of 32 New Mexico counties with at least 5 public highway bridges on Poor-condition share (lower share ranks better; currently 8.3%). McKinley County, New Mexico contains 289 public highway bridges. Roughly 36.7% are rated “Good,” 55% “Fair,” and 8.3% “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.

Total bridges

289

Public highway bridges in McKinley County

Good condition

36.7%

106 of 289 rated 7-9

Fair condition

55%

159 of 289 rated 5-6

Poor condition

8.3%

24 of 289 rated 4 or below

In-state Poor-share rank

#29 of 32

Among New Mexico counties with 5+ bridges, lower share ranks better

Condition distribution

Share of 289 NBI-tracked bridges by lowest applicable component rating.

Good
36.7% (106)
Fair
55% (159)
Poor
8.3% (24)

McKinley County's Poor-condition bridges carry 62,266 vehicle crossings a day

That is 2.3% of the county's reported daily bridge traffic on 8.3% of its bridges: Poor-condition structures carry less traffic than their share of the inventory. Each Poor bridge averages 2,594 crossings a day against 9,523 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 289 of 289 bridges in this county that report an average daily traffic count. Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2024 release.

50.2% of McKinley County's bridges have passed the 50-year mark

145 of the 289 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 36.7% 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 38.7% of the county's Poor-condition bridge traffic

I-40 WBL over GOV ORD BASE/LOCAL RD., built 1963, carries 24,086 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 24-bridge count understates how much of the daily burden sits on a single crossing.

Share is of the 62,266 daily crossings on Poor-rated bridges that report a traffic count. Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2024 release.

When McKinley County's bridges were built

289 bridges with a recorded construction year, grouped by decade

bridges

What this shows Construction peaked in the 1960s, when 53 of the county's bridges still in the inventory were built, which is 18.3% of those with a recorded year. That cohort is now 55 to 64 years old in the 2024 inventory. Its average build year (1976) matches the New Mexico average (1973).

Source FHWA National Bridge Inventory (year built) As of 2024 NBI release

How McKinley County compares with New Mexico's closest counties by inventory size

The 5 New Mexico counties nearest McKinley County in number of bridges, with their condition splits. Its 8.3% Poor share is the 6th-lowest of these 6. Its average build year of 1976 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.

Bridge inventory size and condition shares for McKinley County and the 5 New Mexico counties closest to it in inventory size
County Bridges Poor
McKinley County (this page) 289 8.3%
Doña Ana County 261 3.1%
Santa Fe County 255 1.6%
Socorro County 188 7.4%
Sandoval County 182 4.9%
San Miguel County 175 8%

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 McKinley 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 McKinley County, both outside New Mexico so the neighborhoods are not the same-state size table above.

Similar inventory size

Nearest county inventories outside NM (289 bridges here).

Similar average build year

Nearest mean year-built outside NM (1976 here).

Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2024 release. Peers floor at 10 bridges so stub inventories cannot own the match.

All 289 Good 106 Fair 159 Poor 24

All bridges (289)

US-491

Good

Over: BLACK CREEK

7.9 M. N JCT NM264/US 491, McKinley, NM

Built 1999 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 7,964

FL-5407

Good

Over: GAMERCO WASH

ONE BLOCK E OF US-491, McKinley, NM

Built 1996 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 4,104

NM-36

Good

Over: UPPER GALESTINA CANYON

10.3 Mi S of NM-53, McKinley, NM

Built 2008 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 123

NM-53

Good

Over: TOGEYE CANYON

34.5 MI E OF ARIZ ST LINE, McKinley, NM

Built 1988 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 1,009

NM-612

Good

Over: COTTONWOOD CREEK

4.6 MI S OF JCT I-40, McKinley, NM

Built 1991 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 590

NM-118

Good

Over: RIO PUERCO

1.15 MI NW OF I-40/EXT-36, McKinley, NM

Built 1992 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 1,409

NM-118

Good

Over: LITTLE PUERCO

100 W 4TH ST/GALLUP, McKinley, NM

Built 1957 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 9,198

IRR BIA RTE 5

Good

Over: RIO NUTRIA RIVER

18 KM N OF NM HWYS 53 & 5, McKinley, NM

Built 1973 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 100

BIA ROUTE N9

Good

Over: COYOTE CANYON WASH

1MI E COYOTE CANYON VILL., McKinley, NM

Built 2002 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 2,672

IRR BIA RTE N31

Good

Over: THODILIDONIH WASH

9 MILES NE OF NAVAJO NM, McKinley, NM

Built 2016 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 136

I-40 WBL

Good

Over: RIO PUERCO

1.3 MI E JCT I-40 & NM118, McKinley, NM

Built 1994 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 23,377

I-40 EBL

Good

Over: RIO PUERCO

1.3 MI E JCT I-40/NM118, McKinley, NM

Built 1993 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 23,377

31-101

Good

Over: Paritti Canyon Wash

Jct Basilio/Clay Gallup, McKinley, NM

Built 2011 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 529

NM-371

Good

Over: UNNAMED WATERWAY

12.7 MILES N OF NM-122, McKinley, NM

Built 1958 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 3,485

NM-371

Good

Over: UNNAMED WATERWAY

CROWNPOINT, McKinley, NM

Built 1958 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 2,767

31-Z001

Good

Over: Defiance Draw

3.27 MI S OF JCT NM-264, McKinley, NM

Built 2011 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 931

I-40 WBL

Good

Over: South Chavez Road

4.4 Mi East NM 371/I-40, McKinley, NM

Built 2011 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 19,634

I-40 EBL

Good

Over: South Chavez Road

4.4 Mi East NM 371/I-40, McKinley, NM

Built 2011 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 19,634

NM-602

Good

Over: BREAD SPRING WASH

6.3 MI S OF JCT NM-118, McKinley, NM

Built 2017 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 8,837

IRR BIA RTE 5

Good

Over: CIBOLA WASH

16.6 KM N OF NM ST HWY 53, McKinley, NM

Built 1973 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 117

IRR BIA RTE N9

Good

Over: STANDING ROCK WASH

1 MI SW OF STANDING ROCK, McKinley, NM

Built 1992 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 1,760

IRR BIA RTE N471

Good

Over: TINIAN MISSION WASH

2 MI. NE TINIAN MISSION, McKinley, NM

Built 2010 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 218

IRR BIA RTE N9

Good

Over: DITCH DRAINAGE

1 MI E COYOTE CANYON COMM, McKinley, NM

Built 2000 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 2,672

IRR BIA RTE N9

Good

Over: DITCH DRAINAGE

.75MI E COYOTE CANYON COM, McKinley, NM

Built 2002 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 10

31-0004

Good

Over: BIG HOUSE CANYON

3.55 MI S OF S FRNTGE RD, McKinley, NM

Built 2022 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 143

I-40 WBL

Good

Over: BNSF RAILROAD

0.8 MI E OF ARIZ ST LINE, McKinley, NM

Built 1963 Load: 33.3 t ADT: 20,247

I-40 EBL

Good

Over: BNSF RAILROAD

0.7 MI E OF ARIZ ST LINE, McKinley, NM

Built 1963 Load: 33.3 t ADT: 20,247

I-40 WB

Good

Over: NM-371

Junction of I-40 & NM-371, McKinley, NM

Built 2008 Load: 34.0 t ADT: 21,037

I-40 EB

Good

Over: NM-371

Junction I-40 & NM-371, McKinley, NM

Built 2008 Load: 34.0 t ADT: 21,037

ROCKY CANYON ROAD

Good

Over: PUERCO RIVER

3.5miles N OF MARIANO LAK, McKinley, NM

Built 2020 Load: 34.0 t ADT: 213

NM-122

Good

Over: MITCHELL DRAW

10.9 MI W OF JCT NM-605, McKinley, NM

Built 2008 Load: 34.1 t ADT: 1,551

IRR BIA RTE 149

Good

Over: DRAINAGE DITCH

IN RAMAH NEW MEXICO, McKinley, NM

Built 1987 Load: 34.3 t ADT: 250

BIA ROUTH N46

Good

Over: CHACO WASH

1M N OF PUEBLO PINTADO, McKinley, NM

Built 2010 Load: 34.7 t ADT: 815

IRR BIA RTE N475

Good

Over: OJO ENCINO WASH

0.3MI E OJO ENCINO SCHOOL, McKinley, NM

Built 1989 Load: 35.3 t ADT: 341

NM-371

Good

Over: BNSF RAILROAD

0.3 MI N OF I-40/THOREAU, McKinley, NM

Built 1986 Load: 35.4 t ADT: 3,485

IRR BIA RTE N475

Good

Over: TORREON WASH

1.4MI E OJO ENCINO SCHOOL, McKinley, NM

Built 1988 Load: 35.9 t ADT: 341

I-40 EB

Good

Over: BNSF Railroad

0.2 Mi E Jct I-40/NM-118, McKinley, NM

Built 1966 Load: 36.9 t ADT: 23,377

I-40 WBL

Good

Over: BNSF Railroad

0.2 Mi E Jct I-40/NM-118, McKinley, NM

Built 1966 Load: 36.9 t ADT: 25,224

IRR BIA RTE N7055

Good

Over: CHURCH CAMP WASH

2MI N & 1MI W OF PINEDALE, McKinley, NM

Built 1988 Load: 37.0 t ADT: 102

NM-118

Good

Over: BNSF Railroad

8.0 MI E OF ARIZ ST LINE, McKinley, NM

Built 1950 Load: 38.7 t ADT: 530

31-Z001

Good

Over: RIO PUERCO OF THE WEST

.84 MI N OF JCT NM118, McKinley, NM

Built 1980 Load: 38.9 t ADT: 2,831

31-Z001

Good

Over: DEFIANCE DRAW

1.5 Mi North NM 118, McKinley, NM

Built 2011 Load: 39.2 t ADT: 931

IRR/US-491

Good

Over: SALT SPRINGS WASH

36.5 MI N OF JC I-40, McKinley, NM

Built 2017 Load: 39.2 t ADT: 5,746

NM-400

Good

Over: UNNAMED WATERWAY

3.2 MI S OF JCT I-40, McKinley, NM

Built 1930 Load: 40.5 t ADT: 1,436

US-491 SBL

Good

Over: Figuerado Wash

0.75 M So. of Nakaibito, McKinley, NM

Built 2017 Load: 41.0 t ADT: 7,964

IRR/US-491

Good

Over: Figuerado Wash

0.75 MI S OF NAKAIBITO, McKinley, NM

Built 2017 Load: 41.0 t ADT: 7,964

I-40 WB

Good

Over: WEST YARD DRAW

1.1 MI E JCT I-40 & NM118, McKinley, NM

Built 1994 Load: 41.8 t ADT: 23,377

I-40 EBL

Good

Over: WEST YARD DRAW

1.1 MI E JCT I-40/NM118, McKinley, NM

Built 1993 Load: 41.8 t ADT: 23,377

NM-122

Good

Over: I-40 EBLS/WBLS @ MP 47.9

TOP OF WORLD EXIT 47, McKinley, NM

Built 2017 Load: 42.3 t ADT: 318

I-40 EBL

Good

Over: NM-118

12.7 M E of NM/Ariz Line, McKinley, NM

Built 2007 Load: 45.7 t ADT: 23,872

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Related

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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.