Is It Safe to Drive? These 9 California Counties Have the Worst Bridges in the State

As America’s infrastructure ages, its bridges need repairs to keep them in good shape. According to a 2022 report from the American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA), one in three U.S. bridges is classified as structurally deficient and needs repairs. 

California is a large state with many crossings. But are the bridges in California safe? Read on to find out the nine California counties with the worst bridges.

Are California Bridges Safe?

California ranks in the middle of the list for the worst bridges in the nation. Although far from the worst (that would be West Virginia at 20%), California has thousands of bridges in need of repairs.

• According to the ARTBA 2022 report, out of California’s 25,818 bridges, 1,591 (6.2%) are classified as structurally deficient.
• Structurally deficient bridges are defined as having a key element, such as the foundation, deck, or superstructure, rated in poor condition. 
• California is 27 in the nation for the worst bridges.
• California has committed $262.2 million towards infrastructure projects as of June 2023.

These are the 9 California Counties With the Worst Bridges

Our data comes from the ARTBA report on the nation’s bridge conditions. We’ve compiled our list of the top nine counties that have the highest percentage of bridges deemed structurally deficient.

1: Amador County — 23% of Bridges in Poor Condition

Amador County is a small county in California’s Gold Country in the Sierra Nevada mountains. In the 1800s, many people flocked to the region in the quest for gold. While today, Amador County is home to picturesque small towns, wineries, and ski resorts. 

However, its bridges are in poor shape. Out of Amador County’s 61 bridges, 14 are classified as structurally deficient, making it the top county in the state with bridges in poor condition. 

2: Santa Cruz County — 16.6% of Bridges in Poor Condition

In the central part of the state, just 65 miles south of San Francisco, situated on the northern tip of Monterey Bay, is the county of Santa Cruz. Most of the county is bordered by beaches or mountains. The city of Santa Cruz is known for its beach town vibe, sandy beaches, surfable waves, scenic downtown, and the famous mission. Santa Cruz is also the location where the 1980s movie, The Lost Boys, was filmed. Tourists today can visit where key scenes in the movie were filmed.

Santa Cruz is the second worst county in the state for poor bridges. The county has 193 total bridges. While 32 of them are structurally deficient.

3: Stanislaus County — 15% of Bridges in Poor Condition

Stanislaus County is located in San Joaquin Valley near the San Fransisco Bay Area. The county seat is Modesto, known for its impressive agricultural production. One of the nation’s top producers of nuts, it produces almonds, pistachios, and walnuts. 

However, many bridges in Stanislaus County are in poor shape. There are 380 bridges in the county, with 57 of them rated as poor.