US Bridges

Glacier Highway over Herbert River

Fair

Juneau City and Borough, Alaska · Mile Point 26.0 · Structure no. 0736

Built
1959
66 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
142 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
450
2020 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Glacier Highway over Herbert River is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Glacier Highway over Herbert River in Juneau City and Borough, Alaska. It was built in 1959, so it is 66 years old, older than the Alaska average of 35.9 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in fair condition with a lowest component rating of 6 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

It carries about 450 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 630 by 2039. The structure is 142 ft (43.3 m) long and 26 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 123.7 mi (199 km).

Location

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CarriesGlacier Highway
CrossesHerbert River
LocationMile Point 26.0
RouteState Highway 93
CountyJuneau City and Borough
StateAlaska
Coordinates58.52417, -134.79556
Functional classRural Minor Arterial

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJune 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating43.9 US tons
Inventory rating24.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 20
Structure length142 ft (43.3 m)
Longest span82 ft (25 m)
Deck width26 ft (7.9 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic450 (2020)
Projected traffic630 by 2039
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed123.7 mi (199 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Glacier Highway over Herbert River built?

It was built in 1959, making it 66 years old in 2025.

What condition is Glacier Highway over Herbert River in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in fair condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. The last reported inspection was in June 2023.

How much traffic does Glacier Highway over Herbert River carry?

About 450 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is Glacier Highway over Herbert River?

The structure is 142 ft (43.3 m) long with a longest span of 82 ft (25 m) and a deck 26 ft wide.

Who owns Glacier Highway over Herbert River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.