US Bridges

Valley Chapel Road over California Creek

Fair

Spokane County, Washington · 0.05 S Elder RD · Structure no. 080044000000000

Built
1923
102 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
38 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
411
2020 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Valley Chapel Road over California Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying Valley Chapel Road over California Creek in Spokane County, Washington. It was built in 1923, so it is 102 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 411 vehicles a day, roughly 12% of them trucks, projected to reach 591 by 2042. The structure is 38 ft (11.6 m) long and 22 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 21.7 mi (35 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesValley Chapel Road
CrossesCalifornia Creek
Location0.05 S Elder RD
RouteCounty Highway 5104
CountySpokane County
StateWashington
Coordinates47.51258, -117.34721
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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionAugust 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating40 US tons
Inventory rating24 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length38 ft (11.6 m)
Longest span35 ft (10.7 m)
Deck width22 ft (6.6 m)
Roadway width19 ft (5.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic411 (2020)
Projected traffic591 by 2042
Trucks12%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed21.7 mi (35 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$1.7 million (2022 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Valley Chapel Road over California Creek built?

It was built in 1923, making it 102 years old in 2025.

What condition is Valley Chapel Road over California 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 August 2024.

How much traffic does Valley Chapel Road over California Creek carry?

About 411 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 12% are trucks.

How long is Valley Chapel Road over California Creek?

The structure is 38 ft (11.6 m) long with a longest span of 35 ft (10.7 m) and a deck 22 ft wide.

Who owns Valley Chapel Road over California Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.