US Bridges

Skate Creek Road over Cowlitz Overflow

Fair

Lewis County, Washington · 0.5 NW Packwood · Structure no. 082009000000000

Built
1955
70 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
92 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
1,359
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Skate Creek Road over Cowlitz Overflow is a concrete tee beam carrying Skate Creek Road over Cowlitz Overflow in Lewis County, Washington. It was built in 1955, so it is 70 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.

It carries about 1,359 vehicles a day, roughly 11% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,455 by 2042. The structure is 92 ft (28 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 75.2 mi (121 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSkate Creek Road
CrossesCowlitz Overflow
Location0.5 NW Packwood
RouteCounty Highway 72651
CountyLewis County
StateWashington
Coordinates46.61164, -121.67781
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJanuary 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourUnknown foundation; not evaluated for scour
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating66 US tons
Inventory rating39 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length92 ft (28 m)
Longest span30 ft (9.1 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.4 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,359 (2022)
Projected traffic2,455 by 2042
Trucks11%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed75.2 mi (121 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 proposedOther structural work, including hydraulic replacements
Estimated improvement cost$1.5 million (2022 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Skate Creek Road over Cowlitz Overflow built?

It was built in 1955, making it 70 years old in 2025.

What condition is Skate Creek Road over Cowlitz Overflow 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 January 2024.

How much traffic does Skate Creek Road over Cowlitz Overflow carry?

About 1,359 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 11% are trucks.

How long is Skate Creek Road over Cowlitz Overflow?

The structure is 92 ft (28 m) long with a longest span of 30 ft (9.1 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns Skate Creek Road over Cowlitz Overflow?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.