US Bridges

Bethel Ridge Road over Little Rattlesnake Creek

Fair

Yakima County, Washington · JCT 1500 & 1501 · Structure no. 061708000001512

Built
1953
72 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
30 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
50
1990 count
Owner
Federal
U.S. Forest Service

About this bridge

Bethel Ridge Road over Little Rattlesnake Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying Bethel Ridge Road over Little Rattlesnake Creek in Yakima County, Washington. It was built in 1953, so it is 72 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.

It carries about 50 vehicles a day, projected to reach 75 by 2045. The structure is 30 ft (9.2 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 25.5 mi (41 km).

Location

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CarriesBethel Ridge Road
CrossesLittle Rattlesnake Creek
LocationJCT 1500 & 1501
RouteFederal Lands Road 15000
CountyYakima County
StateWashington
Coordinates46.81143, -120.94716
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.
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 protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMay 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating31.7 US tons
Inventory rating22.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans1
Design loadH 20
Structure length30 ft (9.2 m)
Longest span30 ft (9 m)
Deck width16 ft (5 m)
Roadway width14 ft (4.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic50 (1990)
Projected traffic75 by 2045
Trucks—
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed25.5 mi (41 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 proposedOther structural work, including hydraulic replacements
Estimated improvement cost$3,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Bethel Ridge Road over Little Rattlesnake Creek built?

It was built in 1953, making it 72 years old in 2025.

What condition is Bethel Ridge Road over Little Rattlesnake 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 Bethel Ridge Road over Little Rattlesnake Creek carry?

About 50 vehicles per day (1990 count).

How long is Bethel Ridge Road over Little Rattlesnake Creek?

The structure is 30 ft (9.2 m) long with a longest span of 30 ft (9 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns Bethel Ridge Road over Little Rattlesnake Creek?

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