US Bridges

Skate Creek Road over Cowlitz

Fair

Lewis County, Washington · 0.5 NW Packwood · Structure no. 082012000000000

Built
1953
72 years old, rebuilt 1964
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2023
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
392 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
1,331
2019 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Skate Creek Road over Cowlitz is a steel truss - thru carrying Skate Creek Road over Cowlitz in Lewis County, Washington. It was built in 1953 and reconstructed in 1964, so it is 72 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 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 1,331 vehicles a day, roughly 12% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,404 by 2039. The structure is 392 ft (119.5 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 78.9 mi (127 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSkate Creek Road
CrossesCowlitz
Location0.5 NW Packwood
RouteCounty Highway 72651
CountyLewis County
StateWashington
Coordinates46.61219, -121.67881
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
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 inspectionMarch 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourCountermeasures installed to correct a previously existing problem
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 rating47 US tons
Inventory rating28 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1 (+5 approach)
Design loadHS 20
Structure length392 ft (119.5 m)
Longest span250 ft (76.2 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.4 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deck20 ft (6 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,331 (2019)
Projected traffic2,404 by 2039
Trucks12%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed78.9 mi (127 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$5.8 million (2022 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Skate Creek Road over Cowlitz built?

It was built in 1953, making it 72 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1964.

What condition is Skate Creek Road over Cowlitz 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 March 2023.

How much traffic does Skate Creek Road over Cowlitz carry?

About 1,331 vehicles per day (2019 count), of which roughly 12% are trucks.

How long is Skate Creek Road over Cowlitz?

The structure is 392 ft (119.5 m) long with a longest span of 250 ft (76.2 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns Skate Creek Road over Cowlitz?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.