US Bridges

Bluestem Road over Crab Creek

Fair

Lincoln County, Washington · 12.59 SE SR 28 · Structure no. 081488000000000

Built
1940
85 years old, rebuilt 1960
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
32 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
114
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Bluestem Road over Crab Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Bluestem Road over Crab Creek in Lincoln County, Washington. It was built in 1940 and reconstructed in 1960, so it is 85 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 114 vehicles a day, roughly 54% of them trucks, projected to reach 340 by 2042. The structure is 32 ft (9.8 m) long and 18 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesBluestem Road
CrossesCrab Creek
Location12.59 SE SR 28
RouteCounty Highway 96100
CountyLincoln County
StateWashington
Coordinates47.50269, -117.95392
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionDecember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating32.8 US tons
Inventory rating25.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckCorrugated steel
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length32 ft (9.8 m)
Longest span30 ft (9.1 m)
Deck width18 ft (5.5 m)
Roadway width17 ft (5.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic114 (2022)
Projected traffic340 by 2042
Trucks54%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed5 mi (8 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$1.5 million (2022 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Bluestem Road over Crab Creek built?

It was built in 1940, making it 85 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1960.

What condition is Bluestem Road over Crab 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 December 2023.

How much traffic does Bluestem Road over Crab Creek carry?

About 114 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 54% are trucks.

How long is Bluestem Road over Crab Creek?

The structure is 32 ft (9.8 m) long with a longest span of 30 ft (9.1 m) and a deck 18 ft wide.

Who owns Bluestem Road over Crab Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.