US Bridges

Emerson St. over Butte Arm Canal

FairPosted for load

Bonneville County, Idaho · In Idaho Falls;emerson ST · Structure no. 000000000031330

Built
1956
69 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
37 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
670
2023 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Emerson St. over Butte Arm Canal is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Emerson St. over Butte Arm Canal in Bonneville County, Idaho. It was built in 1956, so it is 69 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 670 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,005 by 2039. The structure is 37 ft (11.3 m) long and 51 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesEmerson St.
CrossesButte Arm Canal
LocationIn Idaho Falls;emerson ST
RouteCity Street 0
CountyBonneville County
StateIdaho
Coordinates43.48308, -112.02861
Functional classUrban 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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionMarch 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating29 US tons
Inventory rating17 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length37 ft (11.3 m)
Longest span35 ft (10.7 m)
Deck width51 ft (15.5 m)
Roadway width36 ft (11 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic670 (2023)
Projected traffic1,005 by 2039
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Maintained byCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Historic statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$746,000 (2017 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Emerson St. over Butte Arm Canal built?

It was built in 1956, making it 69 years old in 2025.

What condition is Emerson St. over Butte Arm Canal 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 March 2023.

How much traffic does Emerson St. over Butte Arm Canal carry?

About 670 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Emerson St. over Butte Arm Canal?

The structure is 37 ft (11.3 m) long with a longest span of 35 ft (10.7 m) and a deck 51 ft wide.

Who owns Emerson St. over Butte Arm Canal?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.