US Bridges

Sth 169 over Bad River

Poor

Ashland County, Wisconsin · 0.4M N JCT Sth 13 · Structure no. B02002600000000

Built
1987
38 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected October 2024
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
67 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
500
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Sth 169 over Bad River is a concrete continuous slab carrying Sth 169 over Bad River in Ashland County, Wisconsin. It was built in 1987, so it is 38 years old, younger than the Wisconsin average of 40.3 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

It carries about 500 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 600 by 2043. The structure is 67 ft (20.4 m) long and 32 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 17.4 mi (28 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSth 169
CrossesBad River
Location0.4M N JCT Sth 13
RouteState Highway 169
CountyAshland County
StateWisconsin
Coordinates46.33513, -90.65199
Functional classRural Major Collector

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionOctober 2024
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
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 rating70.2 US tons
Inventory rating41.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20
Structure length67 ft (20.4 m)
Longest span32 ft (9.9 m)
Deck width32 ft (9.7 m)
Roadway width27 ft (8.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic500 (2022)
Projected traffic600 by 2043
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed17.4 mi (28 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState 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$353,000 (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Sth 169 over Bad River built?

It was built in 1987, making it 38 years old in 2025.

What condition is Sth 169 over Bad River in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in October 2024.

How much traffic does Sth 169 over Bad River carry?

About 500 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is Sth 169 over Bad River?

The structure is 67 ft (20.4 m) long with a longest span of 32 ft (9.9 m) and a deck 32 ft wide.

Who owns Sth 169 over Bad River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.