US Bridges

Massey RD over Sumas River

Fair

Whatcom County, Washington · 00.2 E Nooksack Rd. · Structure no. 084343000000000

Built
1950
75 years old, rebuilt 2019
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Channel Beam
Prestressed Concrete
Length
31 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
326
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Massey RD over Sumas River is a prestressed concrete channel beam carrying Massey RD over Sumas River in Whatcom County, Washington. It was built in 1950 and reconstructed in 2019, so it is 75 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 326 vehicles a day, roughly 8% of them trucks, projected to reach 450 by 2045. The structure is 31 ft (9.4 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesMassey RD
CrossesSumas River
Location00.2 E Nooksack Rd.
RouteCounty Highway 65700
CountyWhatcom County
StateWashington
Coordinates48.90667, -122.31667
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
Deck8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
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 adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating60.4 US tons
Inventory rating46.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeChannel Beam
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckOther
Main spans1
Design loadHL 93
Structure length31 ft (9.4 m)
Longest span30 ft (9.1 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.4 m)
Roadway width27 ft (8.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic326 (2023)
Projected traffic450 by 2045
Trucks8%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$1.5 million (2022 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Massey RD over Sumas River built?

It was built in 1950, making it 75 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2019.

What condition is Massey RD over Sumas 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 October 2023.

How much traffic does Massey RD over Sumas River carry?

About 326 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 8% are trucks.

How long is Massey RD over Sumas River?

The structure is 31 ft (9.4 m) long with a longest span of 30 ft (9.1 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns Massey RD over Sumas River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.