US Bridges

Or 53 (hwy 46) over Soapstone Creek

Fair

Clatsop County, Oregon · 050 MI NE Clatsop Till LN · Structure no. 01319 046 00650

Built
1928
97 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2023
Type
Arch - Deck
Concrete
Length
152 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
452
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Or 53 (hwy 46) over Soapstone Creek is a concrete arch - deck carrying Or 53 (hwy 46) over Soapstone Creek in Clatsop County, Oregon. It was built in 1928, so it is 97 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 452 vehicles a day, roughly 24% of them trucks, projected to reach 480 by 2042. The structure is 152 ft (46.3 m) long and 27 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 11.8 mi (19 km).

Location

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CarriesOr 53 (hwy 46)
CrossesSoapstone Creek
Location050 MI NE Clatsop Till LN
RouteState Highway 53
CountyClatsop County
StateOregon
Coordinates45.82713, -123.78104
Functional classRural Major 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 protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionMay 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations on dry land well above flood water elevations
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 adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating15.8 US tons
Inventory rating12.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1 (+2 approach)
Design loadH 15
Structure length152 ft (46.3 m)
Longest span108 ft (32.9 m)
Deck width27 ft (8.3 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic452 (2022)
Projected traffic480 by 2042
Trucks24%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed11.8 mi (19 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusPossibly eligible for the National Register; requires further investigation
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Or 53 (hwy 46) over Soapstone Creek built?

It was built in 1928, making it 97 years old in 2025.

What condition is Or 53 (hwy 46) over Soapstone 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 Or 53 (hwy 46) over Soapstone Creek carry?

About 452 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 24% are trucks.

How long is Or 53 (hwy 46) over Soapstone Creek?

The structure is 152 ft (46.3 m) long with a longest span of 108 ft (32.9 m) and a deck 27 ft wide.

Who owns Or 53 (hwy 46) over Soapstone Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.