US Bridges

Or 53 (hwy 46) over N Fk Nehalem River

FairPosted for load

Clatsop County, Oregon · 037 MI NE Clatsop Till LN · Structure no. 02319 046 00774

Built
1937
88 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2023
Type
Truss - Deck
Steel
Length
169 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
448
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Or 53 (hwy 46) over N Fk Nehalem River is a steel truss - deck carrying Or 53 (hwy 46) over N Fk Nehalem River in Clatsop County, Oregon. It was built in 1937, so it is 88 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 5 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 448 vehicles a day, roughly 24% of them trucks, projected to reach 510 by 2042. The structure is 169 ft (51.4 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 11.8 mi (19 km).

Location

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CarriesOr 53 (hwy 46)
CrossesN Fk Nehalem River
Location037 MI NE Clatsop Till LN
RouteState Highway 53
CountyClatsop County
StateOregon
Coordinates45.8133, -123.7705
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.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionMay 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating20.4 US tons
Inventory rating15.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Deck
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1 (+3 approach)
Design loadH 15
Structure length169 ft (51.4 m)
Longest span100 ft (30.6 m)
Deck width30 ft (9 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic448 (2022)
Projected traffic510 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 N Fk Nehalem River built?

It was built in 1937, making it 88 years old in 2025.

What condition is Or 53 (hwy 46) over N Fk Nehalem 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 May 2023.

How much traffic does Or 53 (hwy 46) over N Fk Nehalem River carry?

About 448 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 24% are trucks.

How long is Or 53 (hwy 46) over N Fk Nehalem River?

The structure is 169 ft (51.4 m) long with a longest span of 100 ft (30.6 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns Or 53 (hwy 46) over N Fk Nehalem River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.