US Bridges

Approach Road over Whetstone Creek

FairPosted for load

Columbia County, Washington · 0.01 S JCT 9218 · Structure no. 082129000000000

Built
1962
63 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Wood or Timber
Length
32 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
10
2020 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Approach Road over Whetstone Creek is a wood or timber stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Approach Road over Whetstone Creek in Columbia County, Washington. It was built in 1962, so it is 63 years old, older than the Washington average of 49.8 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 10 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 15 by 2042. The structure is 32 ft (9.8 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 98.8 mi (159 km).

Location

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CarriesApproach Road
CrossesWhetstone Creek
Location0.01 S JCT 9218
RouteCounty Highway 25860
CountyColumbia County
StateWashington
Coordinates46.34819, -118.08186
Functional classRural Local

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.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionOctober 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourUnknown foundation; not evaluated for scour
Structural evaluation2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Deck geometry8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating16 US tons
Inventory rating11 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length32 ft (9.8 m)
Longest span31 ft (9.6 m)
Deck width16 ft (4.9 m)
Roadway width16 ft (4.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic10 (2020)
Projected traffic15 by 2042
Trucks10%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed98.8 mi (159 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$1 million (2022 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Approach Road over Whetstone Creek built?

It was built in 1962, making it 63 years old in 2025.

What condition is Approach Road over Whetstone 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 Approach Road over Whetstone Creek carry?

About 10 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is Approach Road over Whetstone Creek?

The structure is 32 ft (9.8 m) long with a longest span of 31 ft (9.6 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns Approach Road over Whetstone Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.