US Bridges

Bluff Road over Big Willow Creek

Poor

Payette County, Idaho · 2.1N 2.4E New Plymouth · Structure no. 000000000028470

Built
1962
63 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected June 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Prestressed Concrete
Length
71 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
130
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Bluff Road over Big Willow Creek is a prestressed concrete tee beam carrying Bluff Road over Big Willow Creek in Payette County, Idaho. It was built in 1962, so it is 63 years old, older than the Idaho average of 45.3 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

It carries about 130 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 195 by 2039. The structure is 71 ft (21.6 m) long and 24 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesBluff Road
CrossesBig Willow Creek
Location2.1N 2.4E New Plymouth
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyPayette County
StateIdaho
Coordinates44.00527, -116.77186
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJune 2024
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourUnknown foundation; not evaluated for scour
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating61.5 US tons
Inventory rating44.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20
Structure length71 ft (21.6 m)
Longest span35 ft (10.7 m)
Deck width24 ft (7.3 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic130 (2023)
Projected traffic195 by 2039
Trucks10%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 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$666,000 (2017 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Bluff Road over Big Willow Creek built?

It was built in 1962, making it 63 years old in 2025.

What condition is Bluff Road over Big Willow Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in June 2024.

How much traffic does Bluff Road over Big Willow Creek carry?

About 130 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is Bluff Road over Big Willow Creek?

The structure is 71 ft (21.6 m) long with a longest span of 35 ft (10.7 m) and a deck 24 ft wide.

Who owns Bluff Road over Big Willow Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.