US Bridges

Airport Road over Bear River

FairPosted for load

Bear Lake County, Idaho · 2.2 N. 1.1 W. Dingle · Structure no. 000000000022225

Built
1916
109 years old, rebuilt 1984
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2023
Type
Girder and Floorbeam System
Steel
Length
202 ft
6 main spans
Daily traffic
50
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Airport Road over Bear River is a steel girder and floorbeam system carrying Airport Road over Bear River in Bear Lake County, Idaho. It was built in 1916 and reconstructed in 1984, so it is 109 years old, older than the Idaho average of 45.3 years.

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

It carries about 50 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 75 by 2039. The structure is 202 ft (61.6 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 11.2 mi (18 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesAirport Road
CrossesBear River
Location2.2 N. 1.1 W. Dingle
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyBear Lake County
StateIdaho
Coordinates42.25219, -111.2885
Functional classRural Local

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.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionApril 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourUnknown foundation; not evaluated for scour
Structural evaluation2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Deck geometry8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating11 US tons
Inventory rating7.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeGirder and Floorbeam System
MaterialSteel
DeckCorrugated steel
Main spans6
Design loadH 10
Structure length202 ft (61.6 m)
Longest span37 ft (11.3 m)
Deck width16 ft (4.9 m)
Roadway width16 ft (4.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic50 (2023)
Projected traffic75 by 2039
Trucks10%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed11.2 mi (18 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$1.5 million (2023 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Airport Road over Bear River built?

It was built in 1916, making it 109 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1984.

What condition is Airport Road over Bear 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 April 2023.

How much traffic does Airport Road over Bear River carry?

About 50 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is Airport Road over Bear River?

The structure is 202 ft (61.6 m) long with a longest span of 37 ft (11.3 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns Airport Road over Bear River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.