Total bridges
145
Public highway bridges in Washington County
County profile · official public datasets
Washington County, RI
145 public highway bridges tracked in the FHWA National Bridge Inventory: 20.7% rated Good, 66.9% Fair, 12.4% Poor.
- 145
- Public bridges
- 20.7%
- Good condition
- 12.4%
- Poor condition
The verdict
According to the Federal Highway Administration's 2024 National Bridge Inventory.
Washington County posts a higher-than-median Poor-condition share among rated counties in the state across mid-size county bridge inventory.
- 3rd
- of 5 on Poor share
- 12.4%
- Poor-condition share
- 145
- public highway bridges
- 1967
- 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.
Washington County Bridge Snapshot
According to the Federal Highway Administration's 2024 National Bridge Inventory, Washington County ranks #3 of 5 Rhode Island counties with at least 5 public highway bridges on Poor-condition share (lower share ranks better; currently 12.4%). Washington County, Rhode Island contains 145 public highway bridges. Roughly 20.7% are rated “Good,” 66.9% “Fair,” and 12.4% “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
20.7%
30 of 145 rated 7-9
Fair condition
66.9%
97 of 145 rated 5-6
Poor condition
12.4%
18 of 145 rated 4 or below
In-state Poor-share rank
#3 of 5
Among Rhode Island counties with 5+ bridges, lower share ranks better
Condition distribution
Share of 145 NBI-tracked bridges by lowest applicable component rating.
Good 20.7% (30)
Fair 66.9% (97)
Poor 12.4% (18)
Washington County's Poor-condition bridges carry 101,412 vehicle crossings a day
That is 7.2% of the county's reported daily bridge traffic on 12.5% of its bridges: Poor-condition structures carry less traffic than their share of the inventory. Each Poor bridge averages 5,634 crossings a day against 11,841 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 144 of 145 bridges in this county that report an average daily traffic count. Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2024 release.
58.6% of Washington County's bridges have passed the 50-year mark
85 of the 145 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 20.7% 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 46.1% of the county's Poor-condition bridge traffic
US 1 TOWER HILL RD over RI 138, built 1969, carries 46,800 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 18-bridge count understates how much of the daily burden sits on a single crossing.
Share is of the 101,412 daily crossings on Poor-rated bridges that report a traffic count. Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2024 release.
When Washington County's bridges were built
145 bridges with a recorded construction year, grouped by decade
- pre-1900 2
Built before 1900
2 bridges
- 1900s 4
1900–1909
4 bridges
- 1910s 3
1910–1919
3 bridges
- 1920s 10
1920–1929
10 bridges
- 1930s
1930–1939
22 bridges
- 1940s 1
1940–1949
1 bridges
- 1950s 9
1950–1959
9 bridges
- 1960s
1960–1969
28 bridges
- 1970s
1970–1979
12 bridges
- 1980s 11
1980–1989
11 bridges
- 1990s 11
1990–1999
11 bridges
- 2000s
2000–2009
14 bridges
- 2010s
2010–2019
12 bridges
- 2020s 6
2020–2029
6 bridges
What this shows Construction peaked in the 1960s, when 28 of the county's bridges still in the inventory were built, which is 19.3% of those with a recorded year. That cohort is now 55 to 64 years old in the 2024 inventory. Its average build year (1967) matches the Rhode Island average (1969).
How Washington County compares with Rhode Island's closest counties by inventory size
The 4 Rhode Island counties nearest Washington County in number of bridges, with their condition splits. Its 12.4% Poor share is the 3rd-lowest of these 5. Its average build year of 1967 against a peer-group mean of 1974 is 7 years older.
| County | Bridges | Good | Fair | Poor | Avg. built |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Providence County | 476 | 23.3% | 60.3% | 16.4% | 1968 |
| Washington County (this page) | 145 | 20.7% | 66.9% | 12.4% | 1967 |
| Kent County | 115 | 21.7% | 62.6% | 15.7% | 1972 |
| Newport County | 37 | 21.6% | 67.6% | 10.8% | 1974 |
| Bristol County | 10 | 50% | 40% | 10% | 1980 |
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 Washington 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 Washington County, both outside Rhode Island so the neighborhoods are not the same-state size table above.
Similar inventory size
Nearest county inventories outside RI (145 bridges here).
- Dearborn County, IN · 145 bridges
- Floyd County, IN · 145 bridges
- McDonald County, MO · 145 bridges
- Lenoir County, NC · 145 bridges
Similar average build year
Nearest mean year-built outside RI (1967 here).
- Los Angeles County, CA · avg 1967 · 3,547 bridges
- Allegheny County, PA · avg 1967 · 1,294 bridges
- Sonoma County, CA · avg 1967 · 609 bridges
- Merced County, CA · avg 1967 · 528 bridges
Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2024 release. Peers floor at 10 bridges so stub inventories cannot own the match.
All bridges (145)
BLITZKRIEG TRAIL
FairOver: WOODY HILL BROOK
0.6 Mi S of JCT RI 165, Washington, RI
Built 1989 Load: 11.7 t ADT: 28
AUSTIN FARM RD
FairOver: I-95 NB and SB
0.5 Mi W of JCT RI 3, Washington, RI
Built 1969 Load: 12.0 t ADT: 500
BRIDGE RD
FairOver: AMTRAK YAWGOO MILL POND
1.0 Mi E of JCT RI 2, Washington, RI
Built 1984 Load: 13.3 t ADT: 1,441
Woodville-Alton Rd
FairOver: I-95 NB & SB
0.5 Mi S of RI 3, Washington, RI
Built 1969 Load: 13.9 t ADT: 3,600
RI 2 SO COUNTY TR
FairOver: RI 4
1.5 Mi N of JCT RI 102, Washington, RI
Built 1973 Load: 15.9 t ADT: 13,423
OCEAN AV
FairOver: TRIMMS POND
0.2 Mi S of Gr Salt Pond, Washington, RI
Built 1925 Load: 17.8 t ADT: 2,085
DUGWAY BRIDGE RD
FairOver: QUEEN RIVER
0.5 Mi E of Jct RI 138, Washington, RI
Built 1976 Load: 18.5 t ADT: 300
RI 4 NB & SB
FairOver: STONY LANE Scrbbltwn Brk
0.7 Mi S of JCT RI 2, Washington, RI
Built 1988 Load: 19.8 t ADT: 63,500
US 1 POST RD NB
FairOver: HUNT RIVER
0.1 Mi N of JCT RI 402, Washington, RI
Built 1930 Load: 20.7 t ADT: 25,883
GILBERT STUART RD
FairOver: MATTATUXET RIVER
1.0 Mi E of JCT US 1, Washington, RI
Built 1993 Load: 20.9 t ADT: 1,500
US 1 POST RD RAMP
FairOver: RI 108 POINT JUDITH RD
0.3 Mi S of JCT 1A, Washington, RI
Built 1963 Load: 22.7 t ADT: 3,400
RI 78 WEST BY-PASS
FairOver: PAWCATUCK RIVER
1.5 Mi N of JCT RI 3, Washington, RI
Built 1974 Load: 23.0 t ADT: 13,100
STONY LANE
FairOver: AMTRAK
1.0 Mi E of JCT RI 2, Washington, RI
Built 1930 Load: 23.0 t ADT: 4,033
US 1A MAIN ST
FairOver: SAUGATUCKET RIVER
0.9 Mi N of INT South Rd, Washington, RI
Built 1920 Load: 23.3 t ADT: 10,107
SHANNOCK RD
FairOver: AMTRAK
0.3 Mi N of JCT RI 2, Washington, RI
Built 1931 Load: 23.7 t ADT: 1,314
RI 78 WEST BY-PASS
FairOver: HIGH STREET
1.0 Mi E of Conn Line, Washington, RI
Built 1974 Load: 24.0 t ADT: 12,000
ARCADIA RD
FairOver: WOOD RIVER
3.6 Mi S of JCT RI 165, Washington, RI
Built 1925 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 573
LIBERTY CHURCH RD
FairOver: SODOM BROOK
1.1 Mi S of JCT RI 102, Washington, RI
Built 1960 Load: 26.2 t ADT: 581
RI 78 WEST BY-PASS
FairOver: RI 3 ASHAWAY RD
1.6 Mi E of Conn Line, Washington, RI
Built 1974 Load: 26.2 t ADT: 13,100
BROOK TRAIL
FairOver: FLAT RIVER
EXTER-ARCADIA MGT AREA 9, Washington, RI
Built 2010 Load: 26.9 t ADT: 34
US 1 NB POST RD
FairOver: RI 108 KING RD&PT JDH RD
0.1 Mi N of Scenic 1A, Washington, RI
Built 1962 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 11,225
US 1 SB POST RD
FairOver: POND ST
0.7 Mi S of JCT RI 108, Washington, RI
Built 1963 Load: 27.5 t ADT: 8,117
US 1 NB POST RD
FairOver: POND ST
0.7 Mi S of JCT RI 108, Washington, RI
Built 1963 Load: 28.2 t ADT: 8,117
RI 2 SO COUNTY TR
FairOver: USQUEPAUG RIVER
2.0 Mi S of JCT RI 138, Washington, RI
Built 1931 Load: 28.5 t ADT: 5,430
RI 3&138 NSNCKHLRD
FairOver: BRUSHY BROOK
1.3 Mi SW of Jct I-95, Washington, RI
Built 1922 Load: 28.8 t ADT: 9,567
RI 138 KNGSTOWN RD
FairOver: AMTRAK & ACCESS RD
1.2 Mi E of JCT RI 2, Washington, RI
Built 1936 Load: 28.8 t ADT: 12,300
SKUNK HILL RD
FairOver: WOOD RIVER
0.1 Mi W of JCT RI 3, Washington, RI
Built 1984 Load: 28.8 t ADT: 660
RI 138
FairOver: GILBERT STUART RD
0.5 Mi W of JCT RI 138, Washington, RI
Built 1969 Load: 28.8 t ADT: 36,000
US 1 POST RD SB
FairOver: SALT POND RD
0.6 Mi S of JCT RI 108, Washington, RI
Built 1963 Load: 29.2 t ADT: 11,243
US 1 POST RD NB
FairOver: SALT POND RD
0.6 Mi S of JCT RI 108, Washington, RI
Built 1963 Load: 29.5 t ADT: 11,243
POTOWOMUT RD
FairOver: POTOWOMUT RIVER
0.5 Mi S of Forge Rd, Washington, RI
Built 1950 Load: 29.8 t ADT: 588
RI 2 SO COUNTY TR
FairOver: AMTRAK
1.8 Mi N of JCT RI 112, Washington, RI
Built 1932 Load: 30.5 t ADT: 3,297
RI 91 ALTN BRAD RD
FairOver: PAWCATUCK RIVER
0.5 Mi W of JCT RI 216, Washington, RI
Built 1930 Load: 30.8 t ADT: 6,243
HUDSON POND ROAD
FairOver: Kelley Brook
0.11Mi SofJct Muddy Br RD, Washington, RI
Built 1950 Load: 31.1 t ADT: 65
US 1 SB POST RD
FairOver: RI 108 KING RD&PT JDH RD
0.1 Mi N of Scenic 1A, Washington, RI
Built 1962 Load: 31.4 t ADT: 11,225
BEACH AV
FairOver: HARBOR POND
0.1 Mi W of Corn Neck Rd, Washington, RI
Built 1997 Load: 32.1 t ADT: 1,905
BISCUIT CITY RD
FairOver: PAWCATUCK RIVER
0.3 Mi S of JCT RI 2, Washington, RI
Built 1960 Load: 32.1 t ADT: 100
WOODRUFF AV
FairOver: US 1 POST RD
0.1 Mi N of JCT RI 108, Washington, RI
Built 1963 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 12,625
RI 78 WEST BY-PASS
FairOver: CANAL STREET
0.5 Mi E of Conn Line, Washington, RI
Built 1976 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 13,100
SHANNOCK RD
FairOver: PAWCATUCK RIVER
1.7 Mi E of JCT RI 91, Washington, RI
Built 1974 Load: 33.4 t ADT: 1,314
WOODVILLE RD
FairOver: I-95 NB & SB
1.3 Mi N of CONN LINE, Washington, RI
Built 1969 Load: 33.4 t ADT: 700
RI 78 WEST BY-PASS
FairOver: OLD HOPKINTON RD
2.0 Mi E of CONN LINE, Washington, RI
Built 1975 Load: 33.4 t ADT: 16,600
US 1A BSTN NCK RD
FairOver: RI 138
2.1 Mi E of JCT US 1, Washington, RI
Built 1991 Load: 33.4 t ADT: 6,746
RI 108 KNGSTOWN RD
FairOver: SAUGATUCKET RIVER
3.0 Mi S of JCT RI 138, Washington, RI
Built 1885 Load: 33.7 t ADT: 8,515
RI 3 HIGH ST
FairOver: AMTRAK
1.0 Mi N of JCT US 1, Washington, RI
Built 1984 Load: 33.7 t ADT: 11,267
RI 78 WEST BY-PASS
FairOver: WHITE ROCK RD
0.9 Mi NW of JCT RI 91, Washington, RI
Built 1974 Load: 34.0 t ADT: 13,100
Columbia Street
FairOver: Indian Run Brook
.1 miS of jct kingstownR, Washington, RI
Built 1903 Load: 34.0 t ADT: 1,954
RI 2 SO COUNTY TR
FairOver: PAWCATUCK RIVER
2.0 Mi N of JCT RI 112, Washington, RI
Built 1931 Load: 34.3 t ADT: 3,297
RI 3 MAIN ST
FairOver: PAWCATUCK RIVER
0.5 Mi N of JCT RI 78, Washington, RI
Built 1924 Load: 34.7 t ADT: 8,452
US 1 SB POST RD
FairOver: SILVER SPRING COVE
1.0 Mi S of JCT RI 108, Washington, RI
Built 1963 Load: 35.0 t ADT: 11,243
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.