US 71 over Bear River
Koochiching County, Minnesota · rated Fair in the 2025 National Bridge Inventory
United States Bridge Conditions2025 National Bridge Inventory, FHWACompiled
- US 71 over Bear River in Koochiching County, Minnesota, is rated in fair condition in the 2025 National Bridge Inventory (as of ).
- Its lowest-rated component is the culvert, rated 6 (satisfactory condition) on the 0-9 scale.
- It was built in 1977, making it 48 years old at the 2025 inventory.
- It carries about 1,155 vehicles a day (traffic count year 2022).
- Its listed owner is the state highway agency.
- It is one of 41 of the 98 inventoried bridges in Koochiching County rated fair (41.8%); 6 (6.1%) are rated poor.
- Its traffic status in the 2025 inventory is open, no restriction (NBI item 41).
- Its condition class and component ratings are unchanged from the 2024 inventory.
- Its most recent inspection on record is dated June 2023, on a 24-month routine inspection cycle.
- A fair rating means the lowest-rated major component scores 5 or 6 on FHWA's 0-9 scale: some deterioration or minor section loss, but the structure is sound. It is the middle class, not a warning.
View this bridge on a map → (48.27493, -93.73791)
Component ratings
| Component | Rating (2024) | Rating (2025) | FHWA scale meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Culvert | 6 | 6 | Satisfactory condition |
Bridge details
| Structure | Concrete culvert |
| Length | about 23 ft |
| Location | 12.4 Mi SW of Jct Th 65 |
| NBI structure number | 91534 |
| Condition class | Fair |
| Traffic status (item 41) | Open, no restriction |
| Last inspection (item 90) | June 2023 |
| Inspection interval (item 91) | 24 months |
| Scour (item 113) | 8: foundations stable, scour above the top of the footing |
Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2025 data as reported by the Minnesota department of transportation.
Busiest bridges in Koochiching County
| Bridge | Built | Vehicles/day | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mn 11 over Stream | 1949 | 5,227 | Fair |
| Mn 11 over Dwp RR | 2018 | 3,565 | Good |
| US 53 over Rat Root River | 1976 | 2,833 | Fair |
| Mn 11 over Jack Fish Bay | 2012 | 2,016 | Good |
| Mn 11 over Tilson Creek | 2012 | 2,016 | Good |
| US 53 over E Br Rat Root River | 1964 | 1,733 | Good |
All bridges nearby: Koochiching County, MN bridge conditions · every bridge in Koochiching County · Minnesota bridges.
Background: how bridge ratings work · what "poor" and "structurally deficient" actually mean · how often bridges are inspected.