Worst Bridges in South Dakota

Bridges with the lowest condition ratings in South Dakota. South Dakota has 963 bridges in poor condition (16.4% of 5,887 total bridges).

5,887

Total Bridges

16.4%

In Poor Condition

963

Poor Bridges

963

Rating 0-4

Understanding Bridge Conditions in South Dakota

South Dakota's bridge infrastructure reflects decades of construction, maintenance, and replacement decisions influenced by geography, climate, traffic patterns, and available funding. With 963 bridges currently rated in poor condition (16.4% of the total inventory), understanding what these ratings mean helps residents and policymakers make informed decisions about infrastructure investment.

Federal inspectors evaluate three key components on every highway bridge: the deck (the driving surface and its immediate supports), the superstructure (beams, girders, trusses, or other primary load-carrying members), and the substructure (piers, abutments, and foundations that transfer loads to the ground). Each component receives a rating from 0 to 9, with the lowest of these three ratings determining the overall condition category. A rating of 4 or below classifies a bridge as “poor,” indicating significant structural deterioration that warrants prioritized attention.

Poor-rated bridges remain safe for use at their posted limits because federal law requires that any bridge with load-carrying deficiencies be either repaired, posted with weight restrictions, or closed. Many poor-rated bridges receive more frequent inspections than the standard 24-month cycle, allowing engineers to monitor deterioration rates and ensure conditions have not worsened beyond safe operating limits. Weight restrictions protect the structure while allowing continued service until rehabilitation or replacement can be funded and constructed.

Infrastructure investment decisions involve difficult trade-offs between maintaining aging structures and building new capacity. Bridges listed below represent the most deteriorated structures in South Dakota's inventory, where rehabilitation or replacement investment would have the greatest impact on improving overall infrastructure condition. Understanding where these bridges are located helps communities advocate for appropriate funding and plan alternative routes when load restrictions affect commercial traffic.

Condition Rating Scale

0-2

Failed to Critical

Closed or severely restricted. Major deterioration requiring immediate action.

3-4

Serious to Poor

Significant deterioration affecting capacity. Often weight-restricted.

5-6

Fair

Minor deterioration visible. Maintenance recommended but not urgent.

7-9

Good to Excellent

Components in sound condition with no significant deficiencies.

Lowest Rated Bridges in South Dakota

963 bridges rated 0-4 on the federal condition scale, sorted by lowest rating first. Showing first 50 — click below to expand. Displaying top 200 of 963.

RankBridgeRatingYear BuiltCondition
#1412th Avenue

over Middle Pearl Creek

5.1S & 3E of Cavour

01930Poor
#2EICHER RD

over HORSE CK

3.2 S NEWELL.8E US79

01950Poor
#3425 AVE

over ROCK CK

10.0W & 0.9S CANOVA

01920Poor
#4476 AVE

over CK

2.0W & 5.1S MILBANK

01901Poor
#5211 AVENUE

over WHITEWATER CK

2E & 4S COTTONWOOD

01940Poor
#6368 AVE

over WOLF CK

8 E & 9.9 N MILLER

01915Poor
#712590-416TH AVENUE

over CK

3W & 4.IN PIERPONT

11932Poor
#8202ND ST.

over BEAR BUTTE CK

5.3E BEAR BUTTE

12000Poor
#9GAVER ROAD

over REDWATER RV

1.5S 1.5E B. FOURCHE

11920Poor
#10YPPARILLA RD

over CK

3 N .4 W NEWELL

11960Poor
#11289th Street

over Long Creek

10S & 0.9W of Lennox

11935Poor
#12456TH AVE

over ELCE CK

3.7N & 3E PARKER

11934Poor
#13KENTUCKY PL.

over SULPHUR CK

9.7S & 2.8E MUD BUTTE

11925Poor
#1441480 299th Street

over Emanuel Creek

4N & 1.2W of Tyndall

11905Poor
#15PINE CREEK (UNORG)

over PINE CK

5W & 0.8S WHITE RIVER

11992Poor
#1629810 466 ST.

over ASH CK

1.2S & 14E IRENE

11940Poor
#17222 ST

over REDSTONE CK

W EDGE OF CARTHAGE

21963Poor
#18NEMO ROAD

over BOXELDER CK

1.3N 2.5W OF NEMO

21975Poor
#19CHRISTENSEN ROAD

over FALSE BOTTOM CK

Int Christensen Maitland

21970Poor
#2046080 314 ST.

over CLAY CK DITCH

3.5N & 3.2W VERMILLION

21900Poor
#2146530 314TH ST.

over VERMILLION RV

3.5N & 1.3E VERMILLION

21930Poor
#2246540 307TH ST.

over BAPTIST CK

10S & 13.4E IRENE

21940Poor
#23246 ST

over FIRESTEEL CK

6.8E 7N PLANKINTON

21930Poor
#24398TH AVENUE

over ENEMY CK

11W & 3.7 S MITCHELL

21915Poor
#2540430 308th Street

over Choteau Creek

6S & 1.8W of Avon

21912Poor
#26257TH STREET

over SILVER CREEK

1N & 0.3W RENNER

21938Poor
#2738930 302 ST

over CK

9.0S 1.3E OF RAVINA

21941Poor
#28365 AVE

over WOLF CK

5 E & 8.2 N MILLER

21915Poor
#29231 STREET

over CROW CK

2.2S & 17.8W WSSGTN SPRGS

21925Poor
#3046580 313 ST.

over VERMILLION RV

7.0 S & 0.6 E HUB CITY

21910Poor
#31370TH AVE

over SOUTH FORK SNAKE CK

9.7N & 2W ZELL

21920Poor
#32MAIN STREET

over REDSTONE CK

MAIN ST. - CARTHAGE

21906Poor
#33465TH AVENUE

over BLIND CK

6W & 2.5N BERESFORD

21935Poor
#34COUNTY RD

over TURKEY RIDGE CK

5W & 6.2N VIBORG

21913Poor
#35451st Avenue

over Creek

3S & 4W of Claire City

21940Poor
#3629830 ASH CRK AVE.

over ASH CK

1.3S & 13.5E IRENE

21945Poor
#3727490 416 AVE.

over PONY CK

2.1N 6.0E PARKSTON

21986Poor
#38460th Avenue

over Big Coulee Creek

4S & 2W of Peever

21950Poor
#39PINE CREEK RD.

over PINE CK

21.1W & 13.9S FAITH

21935Poor
#40207TH ST

over REDSTONE CK

8.1W DESMET

21935Poor
#41KLING RD

over HAY CK

6W 1.5S B FOURCHE

21930Poor
#42SMITHWICK ROAD

over WHITE RIVER

.75 KM NE OF BIA RTE 41

21935Poor
#43206th AVENUE

over COTTONWOOD CK

4W & 1.2N COTTONWOOD

21940Poor
#44COUNTY RD

over CK

3N & 8.9E KENNEBEC

21945Poor
#45BREHM RD.

over CK

29E & 15.5S STURGIS

21935Poor
#46179 STREET

over STRAY HORSE CK

4.9E & 4N CASTLEWOOD

21910Poor
#47DIRT TRAIL

over ROCK CK

10S & 11.5W HOWARD

21910Poor
#48239TH ST.

over ROCK CK

6S & 6.5W HOWARD

21910Poor
#4931140 474TH AVE

over CK

13.4S & 2E BERESFORD

21983Poor
#502nd Avenue

over BN Railroad

2nd Ave. Big Stone City

31914Poor
#5110th Avenue SE

over Moccasin Creek

10th Ave. SE - Aberdeen

31974Poor
#52478TH AVENUE

over CK

0.9N BUSHNELL

31950Poor
#53CEDAR STREET

over MARNE CREEK

CEDAR STREET - YANKTON

31978Poor
#54BENNET ROAD

over BOXELDER CK

.5N1E STPAT EXIT BOXELDER

31973Poor
#5545520 275 ST

over WEST FORK VERMILLION RV

2.2E PARKER

31952Poor
#56478TH AVENUE

over DEER CK

2.7N BUSHNELL

31950Poor
#57MINNEKAHTA AVENUE

over FALL RV

MINNEKAHTA&RIVER HOTSPNGS

31934Poor
#588th Avenue SE

over Moccasin Creek

8th Ave. SE - Aberdeen

31976Poor
#59WHITEWOOD SERVICE

over COUNTY RD RC P&E RR

E BOUNDARY WHITEWOOD

31937Poor
#60480 AVENUE

over SOUTH FORK WHETSTONE RV

1N & 1.5E MILBANK

31938Poor
#61486TH AVENUE

over CK

2.5S ELKTON

31950Poor
#6230999 477TH AVE

over CK

9S & 2W ALCESTER

31989Poor
#63425th Avenue

over BURLINGTON NORTHERN RR

1.6E & 0.6S of Bristol

31960Poor
#64SAN MARCO BLVD.

over PIERRE ST DRAINAGE DITCH

.1S SANMARCO&S.CANYON RC

31977Poor
#6528650 461 AVE

over VERMILLION RV

1E & 1.5S DAVIS

31956Poor
#66438th Avenue

over BN Railroad

3.5W & 2.1S of Hazel

31936Poor
#67S. 1st Avenue

over Creek

SE corner of Selby

31930Poor
#68IRR BIA RTE 2

over RED WATER CREEK

8.5 KM E OF SD HWY 63

31961Poor
#69468th Avenue

over Jim Creek

10E & 0.5S of Sisseton

31965Poor
#70WHITE BUTTE ROAD

over LODGEPOLE CK

4.5E 13.9 N BISON

31965Poor
#71CITY STREET

over CK

THIRD ST-DELL RAPIDS

31952Poor
#72142nd Street

over Snake Creek

11.1W of Warner

31959Poor
#7342520 293rd Street

over Creek

1.2E of Scotland

31939Poor
#74180th Street

over Big Sioux River

3N & 1.3W of Castlewood

31930Poor
#7530480 428th Avenue

over Beaver Creek

2W & 4.8S of Lesterville

31940Poor
#76175TH ST

over TURTLE CREEK

1S 2.8W REDFIELD

31909Poor
#77409th Avenue

over S. Fork of Pearl Creek

9.4S of Cavour

31935Poor
#7848050 311TH ST

over EAST UNION CK

9.5S & 1.5E ALCESTER

31950Poor
#79E MAIN ST FAS 6488

over BEAVER CK

0.4E BUFFALO GAP

31971Poor
#80242 ST

over CK

1.8E 11.0N PLANKINTON

31917Poor
#8127150 446 AVE

over CK

1.5N & 1W MARION

31945Poor
#8230430 446th Avenue

over Unnamed Creek

1.7N & 5W of Volin

31941Poor
#83321 AVENUE

over CHAPELLE CK

0.3W & 10.17S HARROLD

31963Poor
#84373rd Avenue

over Snake Creek

11W & 1S of Warner

31929Poor
#85398th Avenue

over Mud Creek

2E & 2.4S of Sratford

31915Poor
#86125th Street

over James River

2.5S & 2.4E of Columbia

31920Poor
#87143rd Street

over Mud Creek

1S & 4.4W of Ferney

31935Poor
#88103rd Street

over James River

0.7N & 1W of Hecla

31900Poor
#89133rd Street

over Creek

2.2E of Groton

31935Poor
#90133rd Street

over Creek

4.6E of Groton

31935Poor
#9145970 279 ST.

over VERMILLION RV

2S & 1.3W CHANCELLOR

31985Poor
#9228820 463 AVE

over VERMILLION RV

2E & 3.2S DAVIS

31970Poor
#9327260 418 AVE.

over PONY CK

1.9W 0.6N MILLTOWN

31939Poor
#94266TH STREET

over TRIB TO SKUNK CK

2.2S & 1.3W ELLIS

31952Poor
#9544960 296 ST

over Turkey Creek

2.4 W 1.0 N Irene

31979Poor
#96167 STREET

over WILLOW CK

2.2W 5N KRANZBURG

31910Poor
#97GRAND VIEW MEADOW

over COLTON CK

1.9S & 2.1W LYONS

31940Poor
#98379th Avenue

over Creek

12.8S & 6W of Wolsey

31928Poor
#9941630 268 ST.

over TWELVE MILE CK

8.0N 6.3E PARKSTON

31971Poor
#10041840 280 ST.

over DRY CK

4S & 8.4E PARKSTON

31941Poor
#101I-90 SERVICE ROAD

over WHITEWOOD CK

1 MI E WHITEWOOD

31938Poor
#102221st Street

over Trib. to Big Sioux River

10.4W & 2N of Ward

31915Poor
#103242nd Street

over Pipestone Creek

7.5E & 2S of Trent

31968Poor
#104118th Street

over Little Minnesota River

2.5E & 0.5N of Sisseton

31939Poor
#10545860 278 ST

over VERMILLION RV

1S & 2.3W CHANCELLOR

31940Poor
#106396TH AVENUE

over ENEMY CK

4.6S & 1W MT VERNON

31967Poor
#107257TH ST.

over ENEMY CK

3 S & 12.5W MITCHELL

31920Poor
#108399TH AVENUE

over ENEMY CK

4.3S & 2E MT VERNON

31935Poor
#109378 AVE

over WEST FIRESTEEL CK

8.5N 4.7E WHITE LAKE

31936Poor
#110THUNDERHEAD FALLS

over RAPID CK

0.8E 1.8S JOHNSON SD

31964Poor
#111THUNDERHEAD FALLS

over RAPID CK

0.9E 2.0S JOHNSON SD

31964Poor
#11230710 406th Avenue

over Trib. to Choteau Creek

4.1S of Avon

31930Poor
#113Jefferson Road

over Trib. to Dry Choteau Ck

0.4N of Avon

31945Poor
#11441090 296th Street

over Trib. to Emanuel Creek

6N & 3.7E of Avon

31935Poor
#11541260 306th Street

over Emanuel Creek

2S & 3.4W of Tyndall

31970Poor
#11629970 415th Avenue

over Trib. to Emanuel Creek

1W & 3.3N of Tyndall

31930Poor
#11729120 419th Avenue

over Dawson Creek

0.8N & 4W of Scotland

31910Poor
#11829160 420th Avenue

over Dawson Creek

3W & 0.4N of Scotland

31915Poor
#11942030 302nd Street

over Snatch Creek

3.3E & 2N of Tyndall

31983Poor
#12042090 303rd Street

over Snatch Creek

3.9E & 1N of Tyndall

31910Poor
#121ELMSPRINGS RD.

over BULL CK

1.8W 4N ELM SPRINGS

31975Poor
#122212th Street

over Sand Creek

1.5N of 11.9W of Virgil

31930Poor
#123193rd Street

over Creek

9N & 3.8E of Wessington

31930Poor
#124218th Street

over Creek

4.5S & 8.3W of Virgil

31935Poor
#125201st Street

over Cain Creek

4.0N & 1.9W of Wolsey

31910Poor
#126386th Avenue

over Sand Creek

3.5W & 4.5S of Virgil

31915Poor
#127211TH ST

over CAIN CK

3N VIRGIL

31928Poor
#128395th Avenue

over Cain Creek

8.6S & 5W of Huron

31926Poor
#12915th Street NE

over Ravine Park Lake

1N & 0.3E of Huron

31924Poor
#130216 ST

over SOUTH FORK PEARL CK

8.0S 1.5W CAVOUR

31924Poor
#131200TH ST

over SHUE CK

8N 0.8E CAVOUR

31912Poor
#132201ST ST

over Shue Creek

7N 0.9E Cavour

31922Poor
#133194TH St

over Shue Creek

14N 6.2W Iroquois

31936Poor
#134212th Street

over Middle Pearl Creek

4S & 3.8W of Iroquois

31928Poor
#135212th Street

over S. Fork of Pearl Creek

4S & 0.9W of Iroquois

31922Poor
#136211th Street

over S. Fork of Pearl Creek

0.6W & 3.0S of Iroquois

31930Poor
#13729210 421st Avenue

over Dawson Creek

3W & 0.1S of Scotland

31925Poor
#138468th Avenue

over Snake Creek

7.7S & 2E of Lennox

31935Poor
#139169TH ST

over BRYANT CK

2S & 1.4E MIRANDA

31934Poor
#140480th Avenue

over Pattee Creek

6W & 2.5S of Fairview

31935Poor
#141379TH AVE

over TURTLE CREEK

5W 2N TULARE

31920Poor
#142179TH ST

over TURTLE CREEK

4.0N 4.9W TULARE

31908Poor
#143166TH ST

over CREEK

1.6W 0.7S ASHTON

31930Poor
#144167TH STREET

over TIMBER CREEK

5N & 5W DOLAND

31932Poor
#145277 STREET

over DOG EAR CK

1.1W & 1N WINNER

31930Poor
#146287 STREET

over CK

1.8E 1.2S COLOME

31935Poor
#147279 STREET

over WEST BR BULL CK

5.5E 6.75N COLOME

31955Poor
#148142 STREET

over CK

4.2E & 4.5N MARVIN

31958Poor
#149425th Avenue

over Crow Creek

2E & 0.9S of Britton

31940Poor
#15040370 311th Street

over Choteau Creak

10.2W & 1N of Springfield

31905Poor
#15129140 408th Avenue

over Trib. to Emanuel Creek

11.6N & 8W of Tyndall

31930Poor
#15228980 417 AVE.

over DAWSON CK

1.0 WEST OF KAYLOR

31991Poor
#153484th Avenue

over Trib. to Pattee Creek

3W & 3.6N of Hudson

31940Poor
#154221st Street

over Trib. to Big Sioux River

10.8W & 2N of Ward

31915Poor
#155277 STREET

over DOG EAR CK

1N WINNER

31940Poor
#156461 Ave.

over VERMILLION RV

1W & 1.2S CENTERVILLE

31910Poor
#15730040 473 AVE.

over CK

1E & 2.4S BERESFORD

31991Poor
#15847610 312TH ST

over CK

3E & 1N SPINK

31992Poor
#15937570 287 STREET

over PEASE CK

2.0S 1.7E OF GEDDES

31920Poor
#16029470 381st Avenue

over Creek

2.7S & 1.0W of Lake Andes

31979Poor
#16130410 390 AVE

over MOSQUITO CK

7.1S 4.8W OF WAGNER

31941Poor
#16229110 393rd Avenue

over Creek

5.9N & 2.0W of Wagner

31925Poor
#16339460 289th Street

over Creek

8.0N & 0.4W of Wagner

31940Poor
#16439540 287th Street

over Choteau Creek

10.0N & 0.4E of Wagner

31940Poor
#165VIKEN ROAD

over HORSE CK

1 S 3 W OF NEWELL

31919Poor
#166407TH AVENUE

over DRY RUN CK

2 W & 6.8 N MITCHELL

31935Poor
#167292 STREET

over WILLOW CK

1.3E CLEARFIELD

31950Poor
#168482ND AVENUE

over Medary Creek

3.8N & 4W ELKTON

31975Poor
#169289th Street

over Long Creek

10S & 0.8W of Lennox

31935Poor
#170471st Avenue

over Saddle Creek

1W & 7.5S of Worthing

31935Poor
#17147230 305 STR.

over CK

7S & 0.3E BERESFORD

31987Poor
#17230040 478 AVE.

over DRAINAGE DITCH

0.5W & 0.6N ALCESTER

31983Poor
#17347880 306 STR.

over CK

5S & 0.2W ALCESTER

31950Poor
#174IRR BIA RTE 3

over LITTLE WHITE RIVER

IN GHOST HAWK PARK

31964Poor
#175361ST AVE

over WOLF CK

7.5N & 1E MILLER

31913Poor
#176365TH AVE

over REE CK

3.1N & 3E ST LAWRENCE

31920Poor
#177366TH AVE

over PEARL CK

4E & .4N ST LAWRENCE

31932Poor
#178222ND STREET

over CK

1S & 10W ALPENA

31960Poor
#179220 STREET

over CK

1W 1N ALPENA

31930Poor
#180SCENIC ROAD

over CHEYENNE RV

3.5E & 3.3S HOT SPRINGS

31930Poor
#181481st Avenue

over East Brule Creek

5W & 4.4S of Fairview

31959Poor
#18247840 300TH ST

over DRAINAGE DITCH

1N & 0.6W ALCESTER

31997Poor
#183141st Street

over N. Fork Whetstone Rv

3.5E & 0.1N of Corona

31935Poor
#184161ST ST

over SOUTH FORK SNAKE CK

11N & 1.9W ZELL

31930Poor
#185402ND AVENUE

over MORRIS CK (DRY RUN CK)

7 W & 9.3 N MITCHELL

31960Poor
#18628070 416 AVE.

over DRY CK

4.7S 6.0E PARKSTON

31935Poor
#187293rd Street

over Pattee Creek

1N & 2.1W of Hudson

31970Poor
#188416th Avenue

over Crow Creek Ditch

2N & 1E of Amherst

31935Poor
#189422nd Avenue

over Spain Ditch

5.9N & 3E of Langford

31930Poor
#190237th Street

over Big Sioux River

3.5S & 2.6W of Egan

31976Poor
#191457th Avenue

over Creek

6N of Sisseton

31935Poor
#192112th Street

over Little Minnesota River

3E & 6.5S of Claire City

31974Poor
#193466th Avenue

over Creek

1W & 0.1N of Wilmot

31935Poor
#19447340 306 STR.

over CK

8S & 1.4E BERESFORD

31948Poor
#19531070 476TH AVE

over CK

4E & 12.7S BERESFORD

31963Poor
#196264 ST

over PLATTE CK

12S 1.9W WHITE LAKE

31978Poor
#197244 ST

over FIRESTEEL CK

1S & 2.5W STORLA

31940Poor
#198391 AVE

over WEST FIRESTEEL CK

5E 6.8N PLANKINTON

31925Poor
#199245 ST

over FIRESTEEL CK

5.3E 8N PLANKINTON

31940Poor
#200102nd Street

over Elm Lake

8.5W & 5N of Frederick

31935Poor

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Data Source: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) National Bridge Inventory 2024

Bridge inspection data is typically updated every 24 months. Conditions may have changed since the last inspection.

“Structurally deficient” does not mean a bridge is unsafe or likely to collapse. It indicates that one or more key structural elements are in poor or worse condition. Bridges are inspected regularly and may have load restrictions in place.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used for route clearance or vehicle weight decisions.