State profile · Near median Poor share

Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin.

14,446
Public bridges
51.0%
Good condition
6.5%
Poor condition

Wisconsin holds 14,446 public highway bridges (#19 of 52 by inventory) with a 6.52% Poor share (#23 of 52 by Poor share).

That is 6.5% 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 30 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

14,446

Public highway bridges in Wisconsin

Good Condition

51.0%

7,368 bridges rated 7-9

1.0pp vs 50% benchmark

Poor Condition

6.5%

942 bridges whose lowest applicable component is rated 0-4

-1.0pp vs national avg 7.5%

Wisconsin vs national bridge condition

Wisconsin - Good condition share 51.0%
National avg

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

Wisconsin - Poor-condition share 21.7%
National avg

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

Wisconsin 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: Wisconsin has 14,446 bridges and a 6.5% Poor-condition share in the 2024 NBI, rank #30 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 (%) WI, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 14.4k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.52%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%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%WY, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 3.1k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.51%
Inventory size and Poor-condition share are different measures: Wisconsin has 14,446 bridges and a 6.5% Poor-condition share in the 2024 NBI, rank #30 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.

Wisconsin 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

14,446 19th of 54 higher than 35 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 Wisconsin

The highlighted point is Wisconsin: 14,446 bridges and 6.52% in Poor condition, rank #30 of 54 jurisdictions ordered from the lowest share upward. The five jurisdictions immediately above and below Wisconsin on that same Poor-share ordering:

  • South Carolina: 9,490 bridges · 6.17% Poor
  • Wyoming: 3,136 bridges · 6.51% Poor
  • Wisconsin: 14,446 bridges · 6.52% Poor
  • Hawaii: 1,195 bridges · 6.53% Poor
  • North Carolina: 19,210 bridges · 6.76% Poor

The full national sortable table lives on the rankings page.

Material families in Wisconsin

Exclusive FHWA material families across all 14,446 bridges in this state; continuous variants fold into the parent family. Orthogonal to the Poor-share scatter above.

Who maintains Wisconsin’s inventory

State agency holds 37.0% of the 14,446 public highway bridges filed under Wisconsin in the 2024 NBI, the agency-of-record split for this state, not a condition verdict.

When Wisconsin’s bridges were built

Pre-1950 construction accounts for 8.5% of the 14,446 bridges with a recorded original year in Wisconsin. Era bands are orthogonal to the Poor-share ranking above.

Condition Distribution

Wisconsin51%42.5%GoodFairPoor
Bridge inventory deck-condition mix - Wisconsin (FHWA NBI)

Counties (72)

Adams 41 Ashland 84 Barron 319 Bayfield 103 Brown 466 Buffalo 238 Burnett 67 Calumet 62 Chippewa 359 Clark 296 Columbia 183 Crawford 211 Dane 590 Dodge 212 Door 32 Douglas 135 Dunn 245 Eau Claire 236 Florence 20 Fond du Lac 251 Forest 53 Grant 383 Green 244 Green Lake 48 Iowa 209 Iron 48 Jackson 218 Jefferson 182 Juneau 172 Kenosha 109 Kewaunee 93 La Crosse 249 Lafayette 217 Langlade 78 Lincoln 157 Manitowoc 269 Marathon 530 Marinette 135 Marquette 81 Menominee 25 Milwaukee 893 Monroe 374 Oconto 149 Oneida 61 Outagamie 290 Ozaukee 105 Pepin 57 Pierce 248 Polk 73 Portage 182 Price 104 Racine 133 Richland 298 Rock 304 Rusk 151 Sauk 271 Sawyer 97 Shawano 160 Sheboygan 240 St. Croix 298 Taylor 176 Trempealeau 260 Vernon 333 Vilas 29 Walworth 206 Washburn 49 Washington 162 Waukesha 369 Waupaca 169 Waushara 53 Winnebago 263 Wood 239

Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin on the same metric.

SC

South Carolina

6.17% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$9,490

WY

Wyoming

6.51% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$3,136
Selected

WI

Wisconsin

6.52% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$14,446

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

Bridges Needing Most Attention in Wisconsin

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

LRD CASBERG COULEE

Poor

Over: LONG COULEE CREEK

0.2M E JCT CTH V, La Crosse, WI

Built 1984 Load: 0.0 t ADT: 265

LRD IRR (ENSINGER

Poor

Over: BRUNSWEILER RIVER

0.7M E JCT STH 13, Ashland, WI

Built 1920 Load: 0.0 t ADT: 20

LRD N 50TH ST (DEA

Poor

Over: MENOMONEE RIVER

0.2M S JCT STATE ST, Milwaukee, WI

Built 1976 Load: 0.0 t ADT: 1

LRD PEDESTRIAN (WO

Poor

Over: MILWAUKEE RIVER

0.5M E JCT USH 45, Washington, WI

Built 1891 Load: 0.0 t

LRD ACCESS RD

Poor

Over: MENASHA CHANNEL

ACCESS TO PARKING LOT BY, Winnebago, WI

Built 1960 Load: 1.6 t ADT: 20

LRD MARKET RD

Poor

Over: BEAR CREEK

1.2M N JCT STH 76, Outagamie, WI

Built 1958 Load: 1.6 t ADT: 1,175

All Bridges in Wisconsin

LRD DANTZMAN RD

Fair

Over: KENYON CREEK

3.1M W JCT STH 27, Sawyer, WI

Built 1986 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 43

CTH EE

Fair

Over: WEEDEN CREEK

0.3M W JCT CTH A, Sheboygan, WI

Built 1989 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 970

CTH N

Fair

Over: ONION RIVER

0.8M W JCT STH 57, Sheboygan, WI

Built 1931 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 205

LRD PINEWOOD DR

Fair

Over: N FK EAU CLAIRE RIVER

2.5M E JCT STH 73, Taylor, WI

Built 1978 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 81

LRD BIRCH DR (DEAD

Fair

Over: PINE CREEK

0.1M S JCT CTH A, Taylor, WI

Built 1977 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 25

LRD PRAIRIE RD EAS

Fair

Over: BR BUFFALO RIVER

1.3M S JCT USH 10, Trempealeau, WI

Built 1985 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 46

LRD TRUMP COULEE R

Fair

Over: N FK BEAVER CREEK

0.3M N JCT CTH C, Trempealeau, WI

Built 1986 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 29

CTH D

Fair

Over: MID BEAR CREEK

0.1M W JCT CTH MM, Vernon, WI

Built 1974 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 217

LRD STILLWELL RD

Fair

Over: COX CREEK

0.2M S JCT STH 56, Vernon, WI

Built 1980 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 94

LRD MAPLEDALE RD

Fair

Over: BR BISHOP BRANCH

2.1M N JCT STH 56, Vernon, WI

Built 1950 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 205

LRD BIG BEND RD

Fair

Over: MILL CREEK

0.3M S CTH I (LAWNDALE), Waukesha, WI

Built 1932 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 2,350

LRD MAIN ST

Fair

Over: BARK RIVER

0.6M N JCT CTH Z, Waukesha, WI

Built 1964 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 4,600

LRD VALENTINE RD

Fair

Over: OCONOMOWOC RIVER

0.6M E JCT STH 67, Waukesha, WI

Built 1940 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 1,068

LRD W 2ND ST

Fair

Over: OCONOMOWOC RIVER

0.8M W JCT SUMMIT AVE, Waukesha, WI

Built 1910 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 4,664

CTH K (HAMPTON RD)

Fair

Over: BUTLER DITCH

0.1 M E JCT LILLY ROAD, Waukesha, WI

Built 1986 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 7,400

CTH ES (NATIONAL A

Fair

Over: DEER CREEK

0.6M E JCT CTH O, Waukesha, WI

Built 1980 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 18,600

LRD MARCELLA AVE

Fair

Over: UNDERWOOD CREEK

1.2M N JCT USH 18, Waukesha, WI

Built 1968 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 215

LRD HARDTKE DR

Fair

Over: LITTLE MUSKEGO LAKE

0.5 MI SE JCT MARTIN DRIV, Waukesha, WI

Built 1960 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 530

LRD COTTONVILLE RD

Fair

Over: WHITE RIVER

0.9M E JCT STH 22, Waushara, WI

Built 1981 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 221

CTH Y

Fair

Over: E BR YELLOW RIVER

1.8M W JCT STH 13, Wood, WI

Built 1929 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 1,300

IRR BIA RTE 1011

Fair

Over: EVERGREEN CREEK

9 KM N &11 KM E OF NEOPIT, Menominee, WI

Built 1985 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 30

FR194

Fair

Over: MARENGO RIVER

6.5 M. N. JCT CTH M, Bayfield, WI

Built 1993 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 20

FR 2112

Fair

Over: SO BRANCH OCONTO RIVER

3.2 MI S OF JCT CTH W, Oconto, WI

Built 1964 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 50

IH 41 SB/94 EB

Fair

Over: LRD EDGERTON AVE

0.5 MI E JCT CTY Y/LAYTON, Milwaukee, WI

Built 2011 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 91,000

IH 43 SB

Fair

Over: LRD SMIES RD

6.5M S JCT CTH V TO E, Sheboygan, WI

Built 1970 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 14,100

IH 43 NB

Fair

Over: LRD SMIES RD

1.4M N JCT STH 32 TO N, Sheboygan, WI

Built 1970 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 14,100

CTH I

Fair

Over: WEDGES CREEK

0.8M W JCT CTH G, Clark, WI

Built 1968 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 255

CTH D

Fair

Over: N BR EMBARRASS RIVER

0.9M N JCT STH 29, Shawano, WI

Built 2010 Load: 33.0 t ADT: 930

STH 13

Fair

Over: USH 8

7.4M E JCT CTH O, Price, WI

Built 1976 Load: 33.4 t ADT: 2,300

FR152

Fair

Over: S.F. FLAMBEAU RIVER

0.6 M. S. JCT STH 182, Price, WI

Built 1975 Load: 33.7 t ADT: 80

LRD WATER ST

Fair

Over: CHIPPEWA RIVER

0.1 MI E JCT 1ST AVE, Eau Claire, WI

Built 2016 Load: 33.7 t ADT: 11,900

STH 175-APPLETON A

Fair

Over: MENOMONEE RIVER

1.0M N JCT USH 45, Milwaukee, WI

Built 1971 Load: 33.7 t ADT: 13,900

IH 41 NB/94 WB

Fair

Over: LRD EDGERTON AVE

0.8 MI NORTH JCT STH 119, Milwaukee, WI

Built 2011 Load: 33.7 t ADT: 91,000

IH41/94 NB & SB

Fair

Over: IH RAMP SW IH41/94 NB TO

MITCHELL INTERCHANGE, Milwaukee, WI

Built 2012 Load: 33.7 t ADT: 138,000

STH 13-MAIN ST

Fair

Over: LITTLE ROCHE A CRI CREEK

0.1M N JCT CTH J, Adams, WI

Built 1993 Load: 34.0 t ADT: 7,020

STH 13

Fair

Over: CARTER CREEK

1.7M N JCT CTH J, Adams, WI

Built 1937 Load: 34.0 t ADT: 7,100

STH 112

Fair

Over: WHITE RIVER

3.7M N JCT CTH E, Ashland, WI

Built 1926 Load: 34.0 t ADT: 2,100

USH 53 SB

Fair

Over: USH 8

8.2M S JCT STH 48 TO E, Barron, WI

Built 1972 Load: 34.0 t ADT: 5,900

USH 8 WB

Fair

Over: LRD 19TH ST

0.3M W JCT USH 53 TO N, Barron, WI

Built 1973 Load: 34.0 t ADT: 4,150

CTH OO

Fair

Over: RED CEDAR RIVER

1.9M E JCT CTH O, Barron, WI

Built 1986 Load: 34.0 t ADT: 512

LRD ALLEN ST

Fair

Over: RED CEDAR RIVER

1.1M E JCT USH 53, Barron, WI

Built 1992 Load: 34.0 t ADT: 6,637

USH 2-STH 13

Fair

Over: FISH CREEK

0.5M E JCT STH 13 TO N, Bayfield, WI

Built 1991 Load: 34.0 t ADT: 11,300

CTH QQ

Fair

Over: BAIRD CREEK

0.6M S JCT CTH N, Brown, WI

Built 1960 Load: 34.0 t ADT: 1,319

LRD GLENDALE AVE

Fair

Over: LANCASTER BROOK

0.2M W JCT CTH HS, Brown, WI

Built 1966 Load: 34.0 t ADT: 6,700

LRD LAKEVIEW DR

Fair

Over: LANCASTER BROOK

0.6M N JCT CTH HS, Brown, WI

Built 1968 Load: 34.0 t ADT: 2,291

IH RAMP IH 41 S-ST

Fair

Over: STH 172 WB

AT JCT USH 41-STH 172, Brown, WI

Built 1974 Load: 34.0 t ADT: 15,600

LRD WEST FRONTAGE

Fair

Over: ASHWAUBENON CREEK

0.3M N JCT CTH F, Brown, WI

Built 1983 Load: 34.0 t ADT: 348

STH 172 WB

Fair

Over: LRD EAST RIVER DRIVE

0.6M W JCT CTH XX, Brown, WI

Built 1984 Load: 34.0 t ADT: 42,350

STH 172 WB

Fair

Over: CTH V

1.2M W JCT IH 43 TO S, Brown, WI

Built 1984 Load: 34.0 t ADT: 25,450

STH 172 EB

Fair

Over: CTH V-LIME KILN RD

0.5M E JCT CTH GV, Brown, WI

Built 1984 Load: 34.0 t ADT: 25,450

Showing 3,651-3,700 of 14,446 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 Wisconsin's inventory picture to drill to a county or a specific span.

  • Browse counties in Wisconsin 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. Wisconsin 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.