US Bridges

Avondale Road over Bear Creek

Fair

King County, Washington · .4 N JCT 520/202 · Structure no. 085694000000000

Built
1979
46 years old, rebuilt 1988
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2023
Type
Channel Beam
Concrete
Length
52 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
34,500
2020 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Avondale Road over Bear Creek is a concrete channel beam carrying Avondale Road over Bear Creek in King County, Washington. It was built in 1979 and reconstructed in 1988, so it is 46 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 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 34,500 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 46,600 by 2043. The structure is 52 ft (15.8 m) long and 72 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesAvondale Road
CrossesBear Creek
Location.4 N JCT 520/202
RouteCity Street 1065
CountyKing County
StateWashington
Coordinates47.67583, -122.106
Functional classUrban Other Principal 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 protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionMay 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourUnknown foundation; not evaluated for scour
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being 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 rating49.6 US tons
Inventory rating26.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeChannel Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckOther
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length52 ft (15.8 m)
Longest span50 ft (15.2 m)
Deck width72 ft (21.9 m)
Roadway width63 ft (19.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic34,500 (2020)
Projected traffic46,600 by 2043
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure5
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes
Strategic Highway NetworkInterstate STRAHNET route

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Maintained byCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Historic statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$4.4 million (2022 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Avondale Road over Bear Creek built?

It was built in 1979, making it 46 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1988.

What condition is Avondale Road 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 May 2023.

How much traffic does Avondale Road over Bear Creek carry?

About 34,500 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is Avondale Road over Bear Creek?

The structure is 52 ft (15.8 m) long with a longest span of 50 ft (15.2 m) and a deck 72 ft wide.

Who owns Avondale Road over Bear Creek?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.