US Bridges

Bell Avenue over Johnson Creek

Fair

Clackamas County, Oregon · 00.6 MI W of 82nd Avenue · Structure no. 06545 027 00055

Built
1940
85 years old, rebuilt 1959
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
66 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
5,253
2020 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Bell Avenue over Johnson Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Bell Avenue over Johnson Creek in Clackamas County, Oregon. It was built in 1940 and reconstructed in 1959, so it is 85 years old, older than the Oregon average of 49.9 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 5,253 vehicles a day, roughly 6% of them trucks, projected to reach 5,328 by 2025. The structure is 66 ft (20.1 m) long and 32 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 0.6 mi (1 km).

Location

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CarriesBell Avenue
CrossesJohnson Creek
Location00.6 MI W of 82nd Avenue
RouteCounty Highway 9723
CountyClackamas County
StateOregon
Coordinates45.45556, -122.59289
Functional classUrban 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 protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMay 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourUnknown foundation; not evaluated for scour
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating40.3 US tons
Inventory rating31.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length66 ft (20.1 m)
Longest span35 ft (10.7 m)
Deck width32 ft (9.8 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic5,253 (2020)
Projected traffic5,328 by 2025
Trucks6%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed0.6 mi (1 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 proposedWidening of existing bridge without deck rehabilitation
Estimated improvement cost$338,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Bell Avenue over Johnson Creek built?

It was built in 1940, making it 85 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1959.

What condition is Bell Avenue over Johnson Creek 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 May 2023.

How much traffic does Bell Avenue over Johnson Creek carry?

About 5,253 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 6% are trucks.

How long is Bell Avenue over Johnson Creek?

The structure is 66 ft (20.1 m) long with a longest span of 35 ft (10.7 m) and a deck 32 ft wide.

Who owns Bell Avenue over Johnson Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.