US Bridges

Nisqually Br. Rd. over Nisqually River

Fair

Pierce County, Washington · Grid Coord ET280038 · Structure no. DAPFORLEW000010

Built
1953
72 years old, rebuilt 1985
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Prestressed Concrete
Length
253 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
50
2016 count
Owner
Federal
Army

About this bridge

Nisqually Br. Rd. over Nisqually River is a prestressed concrete tee beam carrying Nisqually Br. Rd. over Nisqually River in Pierce County, Washington. It was built in 1953 and reconstructed in 1985, 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 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 50 vehicles a day, roughly 25% of them trucks, projected to reach 200 by 2046. The structure is 253 ft (77 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 11.2 mi (18 km).

Location

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CarriesNisqually Br. Rd.
CrossesNisqually River
LocationGrid Coord ET280038
CountyPierce County
StateWashington
Coordinates46.98737, -122.63212
Functional classRural Local

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.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionAugust 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating60.1 US tons
Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadUnknown
Structure length253 ft (77 m)
Longest span113 ft (34.4 m)
Deck width16 ft (4.9 m)
Roadway width13 ft (4.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic50 (2016)
Projected traffic200 by 2046
Trucks25%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed11.2 mi (18 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerArmy
Maintained byArmy
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedOther structural work, including hydraulic replacements
Estimated improvement cost$2,000 (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Nisqually Br. Rd. over Nisqually River built?

It was built in 1953, making it 72 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1985.

What condition is Nisqually Br. Rd. over Nisqually River 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 August 2024.

How much traffic does Nisqually Br. Rd. over Nisqually River carry?

About 50 vehicles per day (2016 count), of which roughly 25% are trucks.

How long is Nisqually Br. Rd. over Nisqually River?

The structure is 253 ft (77 m) long with a longest span of 113 ft (34.4 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns Nisqually Br. Rd. over Nisqually River?

It is owned by the Army.