State profile · Near median Poor share

Montana bridge safety

According to the Federal Highway Administration's 2024 National Bridge Inventory, condition ratings, load ratings, and Poor-condition shares for every public highway bridge in Montana.

5,224
Public bridges
31.5%
Good condition
6.8%
Poor condition

Montana holds 5,224 public highway bridges (#36 of 52 by inventory) with a 6.81% Poor share (#20 of 52 by Poor share).

That is 6.8% of the state's inventory, against an average of 7.5% across the 54 states and territories with Poor-rated bridges on file, which places it 33 of 54 ordered from the lowest Poor share upward. A bridge is rated Poor when its weakest applicable component scores 4 or below on the inspecting agency's 0-9 scale, so the category is a maintenance and funding signal rather than a closure order or a live crossing-safety verdict.

Inventory: FHWA NBI 2024 · last ETL August 2026

Total Bridges

5,224

Public highway bridges in Montana

Good Condition

31.5%

1,646 bridges rated 7-9

-18.5pp vs 50% benchmark

Poor Condition

6.8%

356 bridges whose lowest applicable component is rated 0-4

-0.7pp vs national avg 7.5%

Montana vs national bridge condition

Montana - Good condition share 31.5%
National avg

Share of bridges rated 7-9 on the FHWA 0-9 scale (deck, superstructure, substructure all good).

Montana - Poor-condition share 22.7%
National avg

Lower is better. Bar maxes at 30% (worst-state ceiling). National average sits at 7.5%.

Montana in the national condition pattern

Each point is a state or territory in the FHWA NBI; the highlighted point is this profile.

Inventory size and Poor-condition share are different measures: Montana has 5,224 bridges and a 6.8% Poor-condition share in the 2024 NBI, rank #33 of 54 jurisdictions ordered from the lowest share upward. The dashed comparisons mark the national average state rate and the midpoint of the plotted inventory range; neither is a live safety or closure threshold. Scatter plot of 54 data points. 0%10%20%30%40% 0k20k40k60k Public bridges in inventory (thousands) Poor-condition share (%) MT, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 5.2k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.81%AL, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 16.2k · Poor-condition share (%): 3.35%AK, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 1.7k · Poor-condition share (%): 7.89%AZ, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 8.6k · Poor-condition share (%): 1.15%AR, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 13k · Poor-condition share (%): 5.43%CA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 25.8k · Poor-condition share (%): 5.91%CO, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 9k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.82%CT, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 4.4k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.72%DE, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 0.9k · Poor-condition share (%): 1.26%DC, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 0.3k · Poor-condition share (%): 1.95%FL, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 13k · Poor-condition share (%): 2.79%GA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 15.1k · Poor-condition share (%): 1.59%GU, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 0k · Poor-condition share (%): 12.77%HI, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 1.2k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.53%ID, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 4.6k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.9%IL, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 26.9k · Poor-condition share (%): 9.35%IN, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 19.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 5.22%IA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 23.7k · Poor-condition share (%): 19.16%KS, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 24.9k · Poor-condition share (%): 5.26%KY, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 14.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 7.37%LA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 12.7k · Poor-condition share (%): 11.48%ME, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 2.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 15.41%MD, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 5.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.56%MA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 5.3k · Poor-condition share (%): 8.88%MI, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 11.4k · Poor-condition share (%): 11.27%MN, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 13.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.44%MS, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 16.7k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.03%MO, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 24.6k · Poor-condition share (%): 8.95%NE, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 15.4k · Poor-condition share (%): 7.9%NV, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 2.1k · Poor-condition share (%): 1.14%NH, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 2.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 7.51%NJ, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 6.8k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.01%NM, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 4k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.51%NY, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 17.6k · Poor-condition share (%): 9.43%NC, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 19.2k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.76%ND, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 4.3k · Poor-condition share (%): 10.98%OH, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 26.7k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.74%OK, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 22.9k · Poor-condition share (%): 7.7%OR, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 8.3k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.61%PA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 23.3k · Poor-condition share (%): 12.58%PR, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 2.4k · Poor-condition share (%): 13.92%RI, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 0.8k · Poor-condition share (%): 15.2%SC, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 9.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.17%SD, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 5.9k · Poor-condition share (%): 16.36%TN, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 20.4k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.41%TX, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 56.7k · Poor-condition share (%): 1.23%UT, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 3.1k · Poor-condition share (%): 2.91%VT, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 2.9k · Poor-condition share (%): 2.9%VI, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 0k · Poor-condition share (%): 29.17%VA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 14.1k · Poor-condition share (%): 3.39%WA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 8.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 5.45%WV, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 7.3k · Poor-condition share (%): 18.64%WI, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 14.4k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.52%WY, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 3.1k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.51%
Inventory size and Poor-condition share are different measures: Montana has 5,224 bridges and a 6.8% Poor-condition share in the 2024 NBI, rank #33 of 54 jurisdictions ordered from the lowest share upward. The dashed comparisons mark the national average state rate and the midpoint of the plotted inventory range; neither is a live safety or closure threshold.

Montana vs all states by public bridge inventory

Where this state's FHWA NBI public-highway bridge count sits among every state and territory on PlainBridges

5,224 36th of 54 higher than 18 of 54 states

States and territories, banded by public bridge inventory size

Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more states. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count and share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source FHWA National Bridge Inventory · 2024

Read the rank neighborhood for Montana

The highlighted point is Montana: 5,224 bridges and 6.81% in Poor condition, rank #33 of 54 jurisdictions ordered from the lowest share upward. The five jurisdictions immediately above and below Montana on that same Poor-share ordering:

  • Hawaii: 1,195 bridges · 6.53% Poor
  • North Carolina: 19,210 bridges · 6.76% Poor
  • Montana: 5,224 bridges · 6.81% Poor
  • Kentucky: 14,548 bridges · 7.37% Poor
  • New Hampshire: 2,542 bridges · 7.51% Poor

The full national sortable table lives on the rankings page.

Material families in Montana

Exclusive FHWA material families across all 5,224 bridges in this state; continuous variants fold into the parent family. Orthogonal to the Poor-share scatter above.

Who maintains Montana’s inventory

State agency holds 46.3% of the 5,224 public highway bridges filed under Montana in the 2024 NBI, the agency-of-record split for this state, not a condition verdict.

When Montana’s bridges were built

Pre-1950 construction accounts for 11.7% of the 5,224 bridges with a recorded original year in Montana. Era bands are orthogonal to the Poor-share ranking above.

Condition Distribution

Montana31.5%61.7%GoodFairPoor
Bridge inventory deck-condition mix - Montana (FHWA NBI)

Counties (56)

Beaverhead 226 Big Horn 135 Blaine 102 Broadwater 37 Carbon 80 Carter 41 Cascade 185 Chouteau 42 Custer 71 Daniels 33 Dawson 109 Deer Lodge 68 Fallon 37 Fergus 158 Flathead 204 Gallatin 210 Garfield 26 Glacier 71 Golden Valley 17 Granite 73 Hill 46 Jefferson 134 Judith Basin 48 Lake 117 Lewis and Clark 200 Liberty 11 Lincoln 190 Madison 97 McCone 44 Meagher 53 Mineral 152 Missoula 206 Musselshell 28 Park 124 Petroleum 26 Phillips 101 Pondera 96 Powder River 23 Powell 113 Prairie 46 Ravalli 148 Richland 97 Roosevelt 57 Rosebud 114 Sanders 120 Sheridan 66 Silver Bow 68 Stillwater 92 Sweet Grass 94 Teton 82 Toole 35 Treasure 26 Valley 104 Wheatland 26 Wibaux 25 Yellowstone 290

Montana vs nearby ranks

Adjacent states by Poor-condition share (lower share = better)

States are ranked by the share of bridges whose lowest applicable component rating is 4 or below. This describes recorded condition; it does not measure funding effectiveness or live crossing safety. States here sit immediately above and below Montana on the same metric.

HI

Hawaii

6.53% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$1,195

NC

North Carolina

6.76% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$19,210
Selected

MT

Montana

6.81% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$5,224

KY

Kentucky

7.37% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$14,548

NH

New Hampshire

7.51% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$2,542

Bridges Needing Most Attention in Montana

Six lowest-condition bridges in Montana, ranked by the portal's composite display score. Inspection intervals are risk-based under current NBIS rules.

UPPER HIGHWOOD CR

Poor

Over: HIGHWOOD CREEK 076

4M SE HIGHWOOD, Chouteau, MT

Built 1969 Load: 0.0 t ADT: 100

ROAD 290 N

Poor

Over: CANADIAN COULEE 036

30M N INVERNESS, Hill, MT

Built 1980 Load: 0.0 t ADT: 100

BLACK COULEE RD

Poor

Over: BLACK COULEE 072

28M N DODSON, Phillips, MT

Built 1950 Load: 0.0 t ADT: 49

SLEEPY HOLLOW LN

Poor

Over: PRICKLY PEAR CREEK

3 M S MONTANA CITY, Jefferson, MT

Built 2010 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 100

HWY 91 N

Poor

Over: BIG HOLE RIVER 041

22M N DILLON, Beaverhead, MT

Built 1940 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 155

CARBINE RD

Poor

Over: PABLO CANAL 026

4M W PABLO, Lake, MT

Built 1986 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 100

All Bridges in Montana

CHERRY RIDGE RD

Good

Over: FORT BELKNAP CANAL 066

1M W ZURICH, Blaine, MT

Built 2010 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 7

YANTIC RD

Good

Over: FORT BELKNAP CANAL 003

3M NE LOHMAN, Blaine, MT

Built 2012 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 40

HUGHESVILLE RD

Good

Over: DRY FORK BELT CREEK 079

3M E MONARCH, Cascade, MT

Built 1962 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 100

UPPER MILLEGAN RD

Good

Over: HOUND CREEK 028

15M SE CASCADE, Cascade, MT

Built 1975 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 79

34TH ST NW

Good

Over: SEP 34TH ST-I 15

1M W GREAT FALLS, Cascade, MT

Built 1967 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 1,169

COUNTY ROAD 540

Good

Over: LOWER SEVEN MILE CR 008

18M SE BLOOMFIELD, Dawson, MT

Built 1969 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 26

STUMPTOWN RD

Good

Over: WARM SPRINGS CREEK 006

4M NW ANACONDA, Deer Lodge, MT

Built 2015 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 85

ANTICLINE RD

Good

Over: PENNEL CREEK 013

8M NW BAKER, Fallon, MT

Built 2009 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 30

MABEE RD

Good

Over: BLOOD CREEK 040

3M N ROY, Fergus, MT

Built 2013 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 100

SWAMP RD

Good

Over: E GALLATIN RIVER 074

6M E MANHATTAN, Gallatin, MT

Built 2008 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 100

CUSHMAN RD

Good

Over: MUSSELSHELL RIVER 015

1M NE CUSHMAN, Golden Valley, MT

Built 2012 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 24

MT 38-SKALKAHO RD

Good

Over: W FORK ROCK CREEK 012

12M E SKALKAHO PASS, Granite, MT

Built 1974 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 219

UPPER ROCK CR RD

Good

Over: ROCK CREEK 010

20M W PHILLIPSBURG, Granite, MT

Built 1976 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 592

WARRICK RD

Good

Over: BEAVER CREEK 008

20M S HAVRE, Hill, MT

Built 2004 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 100

BEAVER CREEK RD

Good

Over: BEAVER CREEK 010

22M S HAVRE, Hill, MT

Built 2004 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 100

COTTONWOOD RD

Good

Over: BOULDER RIVER 009

1M NE CARDWELL, Jefferson, MT

Built 1983 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 100

TIZER CREEK ROAD

Good

Over: PRICKLY PEAR CREEK 085

3M S JEFFERSON CITY, Jefferson, MT

Built 2005 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 100

KAISER RD

Good

Over: PABLO CANAL 031

6M W RONAN, Lake, MT

Built 2014 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 100

MINESINGER TRAIL

Good

Over: PABLO FEEDER CANAL 003

6M SE POLSON, Lake, MT

Built 1978 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 100

COURVILLE TRAIL

Good

Over: PABLO FEEDER CANAL 006

7M SW POLSON, Lake, MT

Built 1978 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 100

LAKE HELENA DR

Good

Over: HELENA VALLEY CANAL 073

2M N EAST HELENA, Lewis and Clark, MT

Built 2004 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 4,240

VALLEY DR

Good

Over: HELENA VALLEY CANAL 074

2M N EAST HELENA, Lewis and Clark, MT

Built 2000 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 3,171

SIERRA ROAD E

Good

Over: TEN MILE CREEK 076

5M NE HELENA, Lewis and Clark, MT

Built 2001 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 619

BEAVER CREEK RD

Good

Over: BEAVER CREEK 142

2M W NELSON, Lewis and Clark, MT

Built 2001 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 100

LITTLE WOLF CR RD

Good

Over: WOLF CREEK 146

6M NW WOLF CREEK, Lewis and Clark, MT

Built 2007 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 128

LYONS CREEK RD

Good

Over: LITTLE PRICKLY PEAR 005

5M S WOLF CREEK, Lewis and Clark, MT

Built 2001 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 100

ELK CREEK RD

Good

Over: ELK CREEK 021

9M SW AUGUSTA, Lewis and Clark, MT

Built 2002 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 34

SMITH CREEK RD

Good

Over: SMITH CREEK 023

8M SW AUGUSTA, Lewis and Clark, MT

Built 2002 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 100

RIMINI RD

Good

Over: TEN MILE CREEK 104

14M SW HELENA, Lewis and Clark, MT

Built 1981 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 230

APPLEGATE DR

Good

Over: SILVER CREEK 144

5M NW HELENA, Lewis and Clark, MT

Built 2005 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 507

CHASE CUTOFF RD

Good

Over: LAKE CREEK 018

5M SE TROY, Lincoln, MT

Built 1988 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 100

E 5TH ST

Good

Over: LIBBY CREEK 122

NE EDGE LIBBY, Lincoln, MT

Built 1985 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 388

MCGINNIS MEADOWS R

Good

Over: FISHER RIVER 085

7M W HAPPY`S INN, Lincoln, MT

Built 1991 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 100

DOME MOUNTAIN AVE

Good

Over: PARMENTER CREEK 162

SW EDGE LIBBY, Lincoln, MT

Built 2000 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 100

DEEP CREEK RD

Good

Over: DEEP CREEK 098

6M S FRENCHTOWN, Missoula, MT

Built 1983 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 3,077

BLUE MOUNTAIN ROAD

Good

Over: O`BRIEN CREEK 114

W OF MISSOULA, Missoula, MT

Built 1998 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 2,179

CARLTON CREEK RD

Good

Over: SIN-TIN-TIN-EM-SKA 102

6M S LOLO, Missoula, MT

Built 1985 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 396

MILL CREEK RD

Good

Over: LOLO CREEK 110

7M W LOLO, Missoula, MT

Built 1983 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 100

OLD GRANT CR RD

Good

Over: GRANT CREEK 112

6M N MISSOULA, Missoula, MT

Built 1979 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 100

WHITETAIL DR

Good

Over: MORRELL CREEK 007

0.5M S SEELEY LAKE, Missoula, MT

Built 1994 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 100

LINDBERGH RD

Good

Over: SWAN RIVER 065

19M N SEELEY LAKE, Missoula, MT

Built 1984 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 100

ROCK CREEK RD N

Good

Over: ROCK CREEK 029

9M E CLYDE PARK, Park, MT

Built 2015 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 100

FRONTAGE RD E 448

Good

Over: MISSION CREEK 002

8M NE LIVINGSTON, Park, MT

Built 1987 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 99

WILDHORSE RD

Good

Over: BOX ELDER CREEK 012

13M NW WINNETT, Petroleum, MT

Built 1978 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 100

DRY FORK RD

Good

Over: SPRING CREEK 050

4M N CONRAD, Pondera, MT

Built 1987 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 54

DRY FORK RD

Good

Over: IRRIGATION CANAL 085

3M N CONRAD, Pondera, MT

Built 2013 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 54

CROSS S RD

Good

Over: MIZPAH CREEK 020

12M NE COALWOOD, Powder River, MT

Built 2013 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 100

LOWER GAME RANGE R

Good

Over: COTTONWOOD CREEK 054

7M W OVANDO, Powell, MT

Built 1978 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 100

RED CROW RD

Good

Over: FRED BURR CREEK 039

5M SW VICTOR, Ravalli, MT

Built 1972 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 100

RED CROW RD

Good

Over: SOUTH BEAR CREEK 111

3M SW VICTOR, Ravalli, MT

Built 2009 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 100

Showing 4,101-4,150 of 5,224 bridges

Related

All states → | National rankings → | Understanding conditions → | Retired SD term explained →
Data sourced from the FHWA National Bridge Inventory (NBI), latest released cycle. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainBridges.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the FHWA National Bridge Inventory (NBI). Poor condition is an inspection-record category, not a closure or unsafe-to-cross designation. Consult the bridge owner for current status.

Understanding Bridge Conditions

How FHWA rates bridge condition on a 0-9 scale.

Check Your Daily Bridges

How to look up bridge condition data for bridges on your route.

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

What to do with this

Use Montana's inventory picture to drill to a county or a specific span.

  • Browse counties in Montana and open the highest-Poor shares first. County list
  • See where this state sits among peers on Poor-condition share. State rankings
  • Compare this state with another jurisdiction on the same measures. State compare

NBI condition ratings are inventory snapshots, not live crossing-safety verdicts.

Every figure on PlainBridges is rendered directly from federal source data, no number is typed in by an editor. Montana Good/Fair/Poor shares and county rollups on this page are computed from the same NBI extract as the national boards; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of 2024 NBI release. NBI condition categories reflect the latest reported inventory record, not a live safety, closure, or travel decision.