US Bridges

Harbor Drive over Sitka Harbor

Fair

Sitka City and Borough, Alaska · Mile Point 0.5 · Structure no. 0245

Built
1971
54 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2023
Type
Stayed Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
1,255 ft
7 main spans
Daily traffic
3,600
2020 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Harbor Drive over Sitka Harbor is a steel continuous stayed girder carrying Harbor Drive over Sitka Harbor in Sitka City and Borough, Alaska. It was built in 1971, so it is 54 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 3,600 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 4,560 by 2039. The structure is 1,255 ft (382.5 m) long and 38 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 123.7 mi (199 km).

Location

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CarriesHarbor Drive
CrossesSitka Harbor
LocationMile Point 0.5
RouteState Highway 935
CountySitka City and Borough
StateAlaska
Coordinates57.0479, -135.3404
Functional classUrban 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.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionMay 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 adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating66.7 US tons
Inventory rating34.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStayed Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans7
Design loadHS 20
Structure length1,255 ft (382.5 m)
Longest span450 ft (137.2 m)
Deck width38 ft (11.5 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic3,600 (2020)
Projected traffic4,560 by 2039
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed123.7 mi (199 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusPossibly eligible for the National Register; requires further investigation
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNavigation control on waterway (bridge permit required)

Frequently asked questions

When was Harbor Drive over Sitka Harbor built?

It was built in 1971, making it 54 years old in 2025.

What condition is Harbor Drive over Sitka Harbor 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 May 2023.

How much traffic does Harbor Drive over Sitka Harbor carry?

About 3,600 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is Harbor Drive over Sitka Harbor?

The structure is 1,255 ft (382.5 m) long with a longest span of 450 ft (137.2 m) and a deck 38 ft wide.

Who owns Harbor Drive over Sitka Harbor?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.