US Bridges

US 169 over US Steel (aban)

Fair

St. Louis County, Minnesota · 4.5 MI E of N JCT TH 73 · Structure no. 69085

Built
1979
46 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Prestressed Concrete
Length
319 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
4,600
2019 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

US 169 over US Steel (aban) is a prestressed concrete stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying US 169 over US Steel (aban) in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It was built in 1979, so it is 46 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 4,600 vehicles a day, roughly 6% of them trucks, projected to reach 4,650 by 2039. The structure is 319 ft (97.2 m) long and 44 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 11.2 mi (18 km).

Location

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CarriesUS 169
CrossesUS Steel (aban)
Location4.5 MI E of N JCT TH 73
RouteU.S. Route 169
CountySt. Louis County
StateMinnesota
Coordinates47.47823, -92.8077
Functional classRural Principal Arterial - Other

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionSeptember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating87.7 US tons
Inventory rating40 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length319 ft (97.2 m)
Longest span116 ft (35.4 m)
Deck width44 ft (13.5 m)
Roadway width41 ft (12.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic4,600 (2019)
Projected traffic4,650 by 2039
Trucks6%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionOne-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesRailroad
Detour if closed11.2 mi (18 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was US 169 over US Steel (aban) built?

It was built in 1979, making it 46 years old in 2025.

What condition is US 169 over US Steel (aban) 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 US 169 over US Steel (aban) carry?

About 4,600 vehicles per day (2019 count), of which roughly 6% are trucks.

How long is US 169 over US Steel (aban)?

The structure is 319 ft (97.2 m) long with a longest span of 116 ft (35.4 m) and a deck 44 ft wide.

Who owns US 169 over US Steel (aban)?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.