US Bridges

County Road No 971 over Bear Creek

Fair

Jackson County, Oregon · 0.03 Milepost · Structure no. 07991 971 00003

Built
1956
69 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2024
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
208 ft
6 main spans
Daily traffic
12,443
2010 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road No 971 over Bear Creek is a concrete continuous slab carrying County Road No 971 over Bear Creek in Jackson County, Oregon. It was built in 1956, so it is 69 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.

It carries about 12,443 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 19,047 by 2030. The structure is 208 ft (63.4 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 9.9 mi (16 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Road No 971
CrossesBear Creek
Location0.03 Milepost
RouteCounty Highway C0971
CountyJackson County
StateOregon
Coordinates42.22125, -122.74049
Functional classRural Minor Arterial

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.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionOctober 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating21.4 US tons
Inventory rating16.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans6
Design loadHS 20
Structure length208 ft (63.4 m)
Longest span34 ft (10.4 m)
Deck width30 ft (9.2 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic12,443 (2010)
Projected traffic19,047 by 2030
Trucks10%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed9.9 mi (16 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedWidening of existing bridge without deck rehabilitation
Estimated improvement cost$1.1 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Road No 971 over Bear Creek built?

It was built in 1956, making it 69 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road No 971 over Bear 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 October 2024.

How much traffic does County Road No 971 over Bear Creek carry?

About 12,443 vehicles per day (2010 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is County Road No 971 over Bear Creek?

The structure is 208 ft (63.4 m) long with a longest span of 34 ft (10.4 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns County Road No 971 over Bear Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.