US Bridges

Dewey Lake Road over Sturgeon River

Fair

St. Louis County, Minnesota · 3.9 MI N of JCT CR 484 · Structure no. 090901000001023

Built
1963
62 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
51 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
15
1991 count
Owner
Federal
U.S. Forest Service

About this bridge

Dewey Lake Road over Sturgeon River is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Dewey Lake Road over Sturgeon River in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It was built in 1963, so it is 62 years old, older than the Minnesota average of 38.5 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 15 vehicles a day, projected to reach 22 by 2045. The structure is 51 ft (15.4 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 10.6 mi (17 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesDewey Lake Road
CrossesSturgeon River
Location3.9 MI N of JCT CR 484
RouteFederal Lands Road 278
CountySt. Louis County
StateMinnesota
Coordinates47.66389, -92.93056
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.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionSeptember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Operating rating47.8 US tons
Inventory rating36.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length51 ft (15.4 m)
Longest span49 ft (14.9 m)
Deck width16 ft (4.9 m)
Roadway width14 ft (4.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic15 (1991)
Projected traffic22 by 2045
Trucks—
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed10.6 mi (17 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerU.S. Forest Service
Maintained byU.S. Forest Service
Historic statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Dewey Lake Road over Sturgeon River built?

It was built in 1963, making it 62 years old in 2025.

What condition is Dewey Lake Road over Sturgeon 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 September 2024.

How much traffic does Dewey Lake Road over Sturgeon River carry?

About 15 vehicles per day (1991 count).

How long is Dewey Lake Road over Sturgeon River?

The structure is 51 ft (15.4 m) long with a longest span of 49 ft (14.9 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns Dewey Lake Road over Sturgeon River?

It is owned by the U.S. Forest Service.