US Bridges

Foster Road over Elochoman River

Fair

Wahkiakum County, Washington · 0.5 W JCT SR 409 · Structure no. 084851000000000

Built
1977
48 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2024
Type
Channel Beam
Prestressed Concrete
Length
120 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
174
2014 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Foster Road over Elochoman River is a prestressed concrete channel beam carrying Foster Road over Elochoman River in Wahkiakum County, Washington. It was built in 1977, so it is 48 years old, younger 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 174 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 315 by 2034. The structure is 120 ft (36.6 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.8 mi (11 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesFoster Road
CrossesElochoman River
Location0.5 W JCT SR 409
RouteCounty Highway 93190
CountyWahkiakum County
StateWashington
Coordinates46.22844, -123.37911
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
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 geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating84.7 US tons
Inventory rating50.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeChannel Beam
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckOther
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length120 ft (36.6 m)
Longest span46 ft (14 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.5 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic174 (2014)
Projected traffic315 by 2034
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.8 mi (11 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$1.7 million (2022 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Foster Road over Elochoman River built?

It was built in 1977, making it 48 years old in 2025.

What condition is Foster Road over Elochoman 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 Foster Road over Elochoman River carry?

About 174 vehicles per day (2014 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Foster Road over Elochoman River?

The structure is 120 ft (36.6 m) long with a longest span of 46 ft (14 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns Foster Road over Elochoman River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.