US Bridges

River Road over Great Western Canal

Fair

Bonneville County, Idaho · 7.1 N. 1.1 W. Idaho Falls · Structure no. 000000000031345

Built
1960
65 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2024
Type
Channel Beam
Prestressed Concrete
Length
82 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
1,200
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

River Road over Great Western Canal is a prestressed concrete channel beam carrying River Road over Great Western Canal in Bonneville County, Idaho. It was built in 1960, so it is 65 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 1,200 vehicles a day, roughly 20% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,800 by 2042. The structure is 82 ft (25 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesRiver Road
CrossesGreat Western Canal
Location7.1 N. 1.1 W. Idaho Falls
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyBonneville County
StateIdaho
Coordinates43.59303, -112.06008
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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionNovember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourUnknown foundation; not evaluated for scour
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating32.7 US tons
Inventory rating23.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeChannel Beam
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans2
Design loadHS 15
Structure length82 ft (25 m)
Longest span41 ft (12.5 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.3 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,200 (2023)
Projected traffic1,800 by 2042
Trucks20%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 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$926,000 (2018 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was River Road over Great Western Canal built?

It was built in 1960, making it 65 years old in 2025.

What condition is River Road over Great Western 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 November 2024.

How much traffic does River Road over Great Western Canal carry?

About 1,200 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 20% are trucks.

How long is River Road over Great Western Canal?

The structure is 82 ft (25 m) long with a longest span of 41 ft (12.5 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns River Road over Great Western Canal?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.