US Bridges

Road over Clearwater Creek

Fair

Whatcom County, Washington · No Data Entered · Structure no. 060501000001414

Built
1968
57 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2024
Type
Frame
Concrete Continuous
Length
146 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
50
1996 count
Owner
Federal
U.S. Forest Service

About this bridge

Road over Clearwater Creek is a concrete continuous frame carrying Road over Clearwater Creek in Whatcom County, Washington. It was built in 1968, so it is 57 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, projected to reach 75 by 2045. The structure is 146 ft (44.4 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 98.2 mi (158 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesRoad
CrossesClearwater Creek
LocationNo Data Entered
RouteFederal Lands Road 38000
CountyWhatcom County
StateWashington
Coordinates48.77462, -122.04497
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.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJuly 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Operating rating50 US tons
Inventory rating32.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeFrame
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 20
Structure length146 ft (44.4 m)
Longest span65 ft (19.8 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.4 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic50 (1996)
Projected traffic75 by 2045
Trucks—
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed98.2 mi (158 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerU.S. Forest Service
Maintained byU.S. Forest Service
Historic statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Road over Clearwater Creek built?

It was built in 1968, making it 57 years old in 2025.

What condition is Road over Clearwater 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 July 2024.

How much traffic does Road over Clearwater Creek carry?

About 50 vehicles per day (1996 count).

How long is Road over Clearwater Creek?

The structure is 146 ft (44.4 m) long with a longest span of 65 ft (19.8 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns Road over Clearwater Creek?

It is owned by the U.S. Forest Service.