US Bridges

W Emerson Pl over Railroad

Fair

King County, Washington · W Emerson Pl & Gilman Ave · Structure no. 085218000000000

Built
1986
39 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Prestressed Concrete
Length
125 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
21,000
2020 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

W Emerson Pl over Railroad is a prestressed concrete stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying W Emerson Pl over Railroad in King County, Washington. It was built in 1986, so it is 39 years old, younger 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.

It carries about 21,000 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 26,000 by 2042. The structure is 125 ft (38.1 m) long and 50 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesW Emerson Pl
CrossesRailroad
LocationW Emerson Pl & Gilman Ave
RouteCity Street 1140
CountyKing County
StateWashington
Coordinates47.65611, -122.38583
Functional classUrban 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.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJune 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating97 US tons
Inventory rating19 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length125 ft (38.1 m)
Longest span121 ft (36.9 m)
Deck width50 ft (15.3 m)
Roadway width27 ft (8.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic21,000 (2020)
Projected traffic26,000 by 2042
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesRailroad
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Maintained byCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$2.5 million (2022 estimate)
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was W Emerson Pl over Railroad built?

It was built in 1986, making it 39 years old in 2025.

What condition is W Emerson Pl over Railroad 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 June 2023.

How much traffic does W Emerson Pl over Railroad carry?

About 21,000 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is W Emerson Pl over Railroad?

The structure is 125 ft (38.1 m) long with a longest span of 121 ft (36.9 m) and a deck 50 ft wide.

Who owns W Emerson Pl over Railroad?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.