State profile · Below median Poor share

Washington 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 Washington.

8,474
Public bridges
50.1%
Good condition
5.5%
Poor condition

Washington has 8,474 public highway bridges in the FHWA's 2024 National Bridge Inventory, and 462 of them are rated Poor.

That is 5.5% 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 24 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

8,474

Public highway bridges in Washington

Good Condition

50.1%

4,246 bridges rated 7-9

0.1pp vs 50% benchmark

Poor Condition

5.5%

462 bridges whose lowest applicable component is rated 0-4

-2.1pp vs national avg 7.5%

Washington vs national bridge condition

Washington - Good condition share 50.1%
National avg

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

Washington - Poor-condition share 18.2%
National avg

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

Washington 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: Washington has 8,474 bridges and a 5.5% Poor-condition share in the 2024 NBI, rank #24 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 (%) WA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 8.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 5.45%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%MT, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 5.2k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.81%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%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: Washington has 8,474 bridges and a 5.5% Poor-condition share in the 2024 NBI, rank #24 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.

Washington 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

8,474 29th of 54 higher than 25 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 Washington

The highlighted point is Washington: 8,474 bridges and 5.45% in Poor condition, rank #24 of 54 jurisdictions ordered from the lowest share upward. The five jurisdictions immediately above and below Washington on that same Poor-share ordering:

  • Kansas: 24,894 bridges · 5.26% Poor
  • Arkansas: 12,974 bridges · 5.43% Poor
  • Washington: 8,474 bridges · 5.45% Poor
  • California: 25,848 bridges · 5.91% Poor
  • New Jersey: 6,827 bridges · 6.01% Poor

The full national sortable table lives on the rankings page.

Material families in Washington

Exclusive FHWA material families across all 8,474 bridges in this state; continuous variants fold into the parent family. Orthogonal to the Poor-share scatter above.

Who maintains Washington’s inventory

State agency holds 39.9% of the 8,474 public highway bridges filed under Washington in the 2024 NBI, the agency-of-record split for this state, not a condition verdict.

When Washington’s bridges were built

Pre-1950 construction accounts for 12.8% of the 8,474 bridges with a recorded original year in Washington. Era bands are orthogonal to the Poor-share ranking above.

Condition Distribution

Washington50.1%44.4%GoodFairPoor
Bridge inventory deck-condition mix - Washington (FHWA NBI)

Counties (39)

Adams 187 Asotin 29 Benton 167 Chelan 149 Clallam 151 Clark 218 Columbia 86 Cowlitz 160 Douglas 40 Ferry 53 Franklin 134 Garfield 54 Grant 306 Grays Harbor 363 Island 7 Jefferson 99 King 1238 Kitsap 115 Kittitas 308 Klickitat 90 Lewis 419 Lincoln 180 Mason 133 Okanogan 161 Pacific 120 Pend Oreille 71 Pierce 472 San Juan 13 Skagit 254 Skamania 120 Snohomish 500 Spokane 307 Stevens 75 Thurston 205 Wahkiakum 36 Walla Walla 195 Whatcom 354 Whitman 347 Yakima 558

Washington 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 Washington on the same metric.

KS

Kansas

5.26% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$24,894

AR

Arkansas

5.43% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$12,974
Selected

WA

Washington

5.45% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$8,474

CA

California

5.91% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$25,848

NJ

New Jersey

6.01% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$6,827

Bridges Needing Most Attention in Washington

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

STATE ROUTE 509

Poor

Over: PUYALLUP WATERWAY RR

2.5 N JCT I-5, Pierce, WA

Built 1911 Load: 0.0 t ADT: 2,400

I-82

Poor

Over: WASTEWATER NUMBER 3

8.4 E JCT US 97, Yakima, WA

Built 1980 Load: 0.0 t ADT: 28,146

Fish War Mem X-ing

Poor

Over: PUYALLUP RIVER

0.2 N JCT I-5, Pierce, WA

Built 1925 Load: 0.0 t ADT: 15,255

POST STREET

Poor

Over: SPOKANE RIVER

00.6 N OF I-90, Spokane, WA

Built 1917 Load: 0.0 t ADT: 1,685

W Galer Street

Poor

Over: Private Road

Magnolia Seattle, King, WA

Built 1929 Load: 0.0 t

SILVER CK RD 00670

Poor

Over: NINE MILE CREEK

19.05 E SR 21, Ferry, WA

Built 1958 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 47

All Bridges in Washington

SR 6

Fair

Over: MILL CREEK

23.2 E PACIFIC CO, Lewis, WA

Built 1921 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 8,850

US 101

Fair

Over: SMITH CREEK

4.3 N JCT SR 105, Pacific, WA

Built 1929 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 4,574

SR 4

Fair

Over: ABERNATHY CREEK

2.5 E WAHKIAKUM CO, Cowlitz, WA

Built 1930 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 4,665

SR 16

Fair

Over: ROSEDALE ST

3.6 N JCT SR 16 AR, Pierce, WA

Built 1949 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 39,840

SR 9

Fair

Over: LAKE CREEK

3.7 N JCT SR 534, Skagit, WA

Built 1952 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 1,540

US 101

Fair

Over: INDIAN CR

30.8 N JCT SR 113, Clallam, WA

Built 1927 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 3,272

US 2

Fair

Over: WENATCHEE RIVER

2.6 E JCT US 97, Chelan, WA

Built 1959 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 8,342

KREPS LANE

Fair

Over: OUTLET CREEK

0.7 W JCT CR 16000, Klickitat, WA

Built 1981 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 18

NW KRIEGER RD

Fair

Over: WHIPPLE CREEK

0.2 N OF NW 179 ST, Clark, WA

Built 1962 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 266

COYOTE HGTS. 21170

Fair

Over: CRAB CREEK

0.18 N FAS B220, Lincoln, WA

Built 1973 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 53

MIDDLE SATSOP ROAD

Fair

Over: WEST FORK SATSOP RIVER

3.5 N BRADY, Grays Harbor, WA

Built 1985 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 1,429

COUNTY ROAD 4723

Fair

Over: NINE MILE CREEK

NENWS15T40NR27E, Okanogan, WA

Built 1980 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 34

SEABECK HWY. NW

Fair

Over: LITTLE BEEF CREEK

0.9 W JCT NW ANDERSON HIL, Kitsap, WA

Built 1955 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 5,940

HAY-LACROSSE/7000

Fair

Over: MUD FLAT CREEK

9.24 MI S SR 26, Whitman, WA

Built 1970 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 107

RAY SYMMONDS ROAD

Fair

Over: SELAH-MOXEE CANAL

00.14 E EAST SELAH, Yakima, WA

Built 1962 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 95

Lund Ave S.E.

Fair

Over: BLACKJACK CREEK

1.0 E SR16@TREMONT, Kitsap, WA

Built 1985 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 21,500

W UNCAS ROAD

Fair

Over: SNOW CREEK

0.1W JCT SR101, Jefferson, WA

Built 1964 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 103

KAMIAKEN STREET

Fair

Over: S FORK PALOUSE RIVER

00.10 N JCT SR270, Whitman, WA

Built 1930 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 2,554

15TH ST NORTHWEST

Fair

Over: BNRR & B ST NW

0.6 MI E JCT SR 167, King, WA

Built 1972 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 31,879

Airport Way S

Fair

Over: ARGO RR Yard

5200 Airport Way S, King, WA

Built 1928 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 17,500

ROEDER AVENUE

Fair

Over: SQUALLICUM CREEK

0.02 S JCT SQUALICUM WAY, Whatcom, WA

Built 1962 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 7,200

TENNESSEE ROAD

Fair

Over: KING CREEK

0.5 NW WINLOCK, Lewis, WA

Built 1970 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 302

GARFIELD ROAD

Fair

Over: DEEP CREEK

0.4 S JACOBS ROAD, Spokane, WA

Built 1987 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 77

364th Ave SE

Fair

Over: RAGING RIVER

6.8 MI E OF ISSA-HO, King, WA

Built 1996 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 150

SILVER ST

Fair

Over: NORTH FORK SALMON CR

0.1 E MAIN ST, Okanogan, WA

Built 1997 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 50

LOWER DEADMAN RD

Fair

Over: DEADMAN CREEK

12.3 North Jct SR12, Garfield, WA

Built 1939 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 280

IRR BIA RTE 1

Fair

Over: SOOES RIVER

8 KM S.W. OF NEAH BAY, Clallam, WA

Built 1961 Load: 24.5 t ADT: 300

IRR BIA RTE 140

Fair

Over: TOPPENISH CREEK

1.6KM SOUTH OF WHITE SWAN, Yakima, WA

Built 1986 Load: 24.5 t ADT: 400

IRR BIA RTE 56

Fair

Over: NORTH STAR CREEK

16 KM NORTH OF NESPELEM, Okanogan, WA

Built 1962 Load: 24.5 t ADT: 25

IRR BIA RTE 6

Fair

Over: WEST FORK SAN POIL RIVER

11 KM S.W. OF REPUBLIC, Ferry, WA

Built 1962 Load: 24.5 t ADT: 300

IRR BIA RTE 64

Fair

Over: WEST FORK SAN POIL RIVER

13 KM SW OF REPUBLIC, Okanogan, WA

Built 1962 Load: 24.5 t ADT: 75

IRR BIA RTE 6

Fair

Over: GOLD CREEK

21 KM SW OF REPUBLIC, Okanogan, WA

Built 1962 Load: 24.5 t ADT: 25

IRR BIA RTE 62

Fair

Over: GOLD CREEK

23 KM SW OF REPUBLIC, Okanogan, WA

Built 1962 Load: 24.5 t ADT: 25

IRR BIA RTE 100

Fair

Over: NINE MILE CREEK

6 KM NW OF NINE MILE, Ferry, WA

Built 1962 Load: 24.5 t ADT: 50

IRR BIA RTE 1167

Fair

Over: NESPELEM RIVER

0.6 KM WEST OF AGENCY, Okanogan, WA

Built 1957 Load: 24.5 t ADT: 250

SERVICE ROAD

Fair

Over: ICICLE CREEK

0.2 MI E OF OFFICE, Chelan, WA

Built 1935 Load: 24.5 t ADT: 2

SR 4

Fair

Over: HALF BR W OF BUNKER HILL

4.0 E WAHKIAKUM CO, Cowlitz, WA

Built 1930 Load: 24.5 t ADT: 4,665

SR 542

Fair

Over: N FK NOOKSACK R WARNICK

8.0 E JCT SR 547, Whatcom, WA

Built 1931 Load: 24.5 t ADT: 1,903

I-82

Fair

Over: YAKIMA RIVER

0.4 E JCT SR 823, Yakima, WA

Built 1932 Load: 24.5 t ADT: 12,714

US 195

Fair

Over: S FK PALOUSE RIVER

12.5 N JCT SR 270, Whitman, WA

Built 1934 Load: 24.5 t ADT: 9,760

5TH ST N

Fair

Over: S FK SKYKOMISH RIVER

0.1 S JCT US 2, King, WA

Built 1939 Load: 24.5 t ADT: 1,160

SR 6

Fair

Over: CHEHALIS RIVER

26.3 E PACIFIC CO, Lewis, WA

Built 1939 Load: 24.5 t ADT: 11,305

SR 525

Fair

Over: GN RY

1.9 N JCT SR 526, Snohomish, WA

Built 1941 Load: 24.5 t ADT: 10,313

US 101

Fair

Over: SOL DUC RIVER

7.7 N JCT SR 113, Clallam, WA

Built 1948 Load: 24.5 t ADT: 2,945

US 101

Fair

Over: SOL DUC RIVER

8.6 N JCT SR 113, Clallam, WA

Built 1948 Load: 24.5 t ADT: 2,945

SR 109

Fair

Over: COPALIS R

5.3 N JCT SR 115, Grays Harbor, WA

Built 1952 Load: 24.5 t ADT: 1,339

US 395

Fair

Over: COLUMBIA R-RIVERSIDE DR

0.3 N JCT SR 240, Benton, WA

Built 1954 Load: 24.5 t ADT: 66,035

I-5

Fair

Over: EBEY SL / SR 529 / RR

4.7 N JCT US 2, Snohomish, WA

Built 1954 Load: 24.5 t ADT: 63,840

I-5

Fair

Over: COWLITZ RIVER

2.0 N COWLITZ CO, Lewis, WA

Built 1953 Load: 24.5 t ADT: 21,612

SR 9

Fair

Over: N FK NOOKSACK RIVER

12.0 N SKAGIT CO, Whatcom, WA

Built 1954 Load: 24.5 t ADT: 3,956

Showing 1,451-1,500 of 8,474 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 Washington's inventory picture to drill to a county or a specific span.

  • Browse counties in Washington 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. Washington 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.