US Bridges

Bern Road over Bear River;bern Bridge

Fair

Bear Lake County, Idaho · 0.7 S. 1.7 E. Bern · Structure no. 000000000022250

Built
1973
52 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Prestressed Concrete
Length
150 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
300
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Bern Road over Bear River;bern Bridge is a prestressed concrete stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Bern Road over Bear River;bern Bridge in Bear Lake County, Idaho. It was built in 1973, so it is 52 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 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 300 vehicles a day, roughly 20% of them trucks, projected to reach 450 by 2042. The structure is 150 ft (45.7 m) long and 32 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 9.9 mi (16 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesBern Road
CrossesBear River;bern Bridge
Location0.7 S. 1.7 E. Bern
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyBear Lake County
StateIdaho
Coordinates42.32853, -111.35139
Functional classRural Minor Collector

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.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionApril 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating61 US tons
Inventory rating37 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadH 20
Structure length150 ft (45.7 m)
Longest span73 ft (22.3 m)
Deck width32 ft (9.7 m)
Roadway width29 ft (8.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic300 (2023)
Projected traffic450 by 2042
Trucks20%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed9.9 mi (16 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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Bern Road over Bear River;bern Bridge built?

It was built in 1973, making it 52 years old in 2025.

What condition is Bern Road over Bear River;bern Bridge 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 Bern Road over Bear River;bern Bridge carry?

About 300 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 20% are trucks.

How long is Bern Road over Bear River;bern Bridge?

The structure is 150 ft (45.7 m) long with a longest span of 73 ft (22.3 m) and a deck 32 ft wide.

Who owns Bern Road over Bear River;bern Bridge?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.