Iowa has most poor-condition bridges in U.S.

The Iowa Department of Transportation’s 2025 bridge report said the state has the most poor-condition bridges in the nation, based on Federal Highway Administration data collected in March. According to the state’s report, there are 23,685 public bridges in Iowa — the seventh-largest total in the country, thanks to Iowa’s many creeks and irrigation systems. According to February numbers, Dubuque County has 217 bridges and 23 of them are in poor condition. The majority of “poor” county bridges are safe to pass over and have relatively low traffic. Dubuque County is doing well in terms of bridges. Approximately 10.5% of its bridges are considered “poor” compared to a statewide average of 23%. Many of its poor-rated bridges will be replaced soon. Two of the 23 have been replaced since February, and 12 more will be replaced in the next five years.