US Bridges

Coulee-Hite Road over Coulee Creek

FairPosted for load

Spokane County, Washington · 0.4 S Lincoln Road · Structure no. 083834000000000

Built
1923
102 years old, rebuilt 1968
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
50 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
266
2020 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Coulee-Hite Road over Coulee Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying Coulee-Hite Road over Coulee Creek in Spokane County, Washington. It was built in 1923 and reconstructed in 1968, 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 5 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 266 vehicles a day, roughly 23% of them trucks, projected to reach 383 by 2042. The structure is 50 ft (15.2 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

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CarriesCoulee-Hite Road
CrossesCoulee Creek
Location0.4 S Lincoln Road
RouteCounty Highway 647
CountySpokane County
StateWashington
Coordinates47.72565, -117.77645
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.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionMay 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating19.6 US tons
Inventory rating15 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length50 ft (15.2 m)
Longest span30 ft (9.1 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.3 m)
Roadway width27 ft (8.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic266 (2020)
Projected traffic383 by 2042
Trucks23%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.2 mi (10 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$2.2 million (2022 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Coulee-Hite Road over Coulee Creek built?

It was built in 1923, making it 102 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1968.

What condition is Coulee-Hite Road over Coulee 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 May 2023.

How much traffic does Coulee-Hite Road over Coulee Creek carry?

About 266 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 23% are trucks.

How long is Coulee-Hite Road over Coulee Creek?

The structure is 50 ft (15.2 m) long with a longest span of 30 ft (9.1 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns Coulee-Hite Road over Coulee Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.