Bridges



Why it Matters


Thurston County contains 235 bridges:

  • More than half are on local roadways 
  • 40% are located on or over major state routes, including Interstate 5 
  • Many are over 60 years old and functionally obsolete 
  • Some are in poor or serious condition 
These bridges provide vital links in our transportation network, but cost much more per mile to maintain and repair than roadways. Since there is no dedicated source of funding for locally owned bridges, local jurisdictions rely predominantly on competitive state and federal grant funds for bridge preservation, rehabilitation, or replacement.

Age


The age of Thurston County’s bridges is a primary concern for both local agencies and the state. Interstate 5 and many of its original bridges were built in the 1950s and 60s, so numerous large bridges are likely to need rehabilitation in coming years.

Learn More

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View the Bridges Map
to see the overall generalized condition for the bridges in Thurston County, WA.



CusterBridge
The Boston Street Bridge (Lower Custer-Way Bridge) over the Deschutes River is the only non-railroad or trail bridge in Thurston County over 100 years old. 

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Functionally Obsolete


Older bridges are more likely to be functionally obsolete – and not meet current standards. They may be:

  • Too low and subjected to repeated damage from over-height trucks
  • Not wide enough to accommodate the appropriate modes of travel like truck, bicyclists, or pedestrians
  • Not wide enough to allow the roadway underneath to accommodate the appropriate modes of travel
  • At risk of flooding


53
Number of functionally obsolete bridges in Thurston County

AND

38% 
of the 21 I-5 overpasses in Thurston County are functionally obsolete. 


See the Report Card Data


BridgeReportCard
More Information on bridge condition is available on the Sustainable Thurston Report Card.

Good, Fair, Poor Condition Rating 

Good: A range from no problems to some minor deterioration of structural elements. 

Fair: All primary structural elements are sound but may have deficiencies such as minor section loss, deterioration, cracking, spalling, or scour. 

Poor: Advanced deficiencies such as section loss, deterioration, cracking, spalling, scour, or seriously affected primary structural components. Bridges rated in poor condition may be posted with truck weight restrictions, but are still safe to travel. 

Condition

A strong multimodal network relies on safe and functional bridges for all modes. The Federal Highway Administration requires all public bridge owners to inspect and report on bridge condition once every two years. 97% of Thurston County bridges are in fair or better condition. 

Vehicle Bridges


45% of Thurston County’s locally-owned bridges that carry vehicles are in Fair Condition. The most cost-effective time to rehabilitate a bridge is before the underlying structure is damaged, so these “Fair” bridges are ripe for rehabilitation.

“Poor” condition vehicle bridges are considered structurally deficient.  While still safe for general travel, weight restrictions may apply.  These bridges are prioritized for replacement or rehabilitation.  The state is currently meeting its statewide performance goal: for 90% of bridges on the National Highway System (Interstate and major state highways) in Fair or Good condition.  

Pedestrian/Bicycle Bridges


Thurston County is home to 12 pedestrian/bicycle only bridges:

  • Eight locally owned – mainly on the Chehalis Western or Yelm-Tenino trail systems
  • Three state owned bridges (one connecting Capitol Campus over Capitol Way, and the other two over I-5)
  • One owned by the Nisqually Tribe

Of the local bridges, four are in poor condition, including three on the Chehalis Western Trail (former railroad bridges) and one over Percival Creek.

Available Funding


Federal funding for bridge maintenance, preservation, and rehabilitation is distributed to both the State and local governments.  The National Highway Performance Program (NHPP) supplies around $354 million annually to the State to support the condition and performance of the National Highway System.  Washington State’s 2015 Connecting Washington transportation package includes $87.5 million a year (for the next 16 years) in funding for state highway maintenance, operations, and preservation, which can be used for state bridges. WSDOT has a local bridge program that is around $45 million a year – funded with $23 million in NHPP and $22 million from a Surface Transportation Program set-aside. 

Vehicle Bridges in Poor Condition in Thurston County


Local Bridges: One with very low traffic volumes

State Bridges: 
  • 93rd Avenue Bridge over Interstate 5 (recently struck by a vehicle, currently being rehabilitated.)
  • Plum Street ramp over Eastside Street – prioritized for bridge rehabilitation.
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The 93rd Avenue Bridge over I-5 in Tumwater was struck by an over-height load in 2015 and underwent repairs in 2017.  Such low I-5 overpasses are considered functionally obsolete

Approach to Bridge Preservation


The current bridge inspection program intends that bridges open to the public are safe. 

State Owned Bridges: The state maintains the majority of bridges on the National Highway System. The state’s Bridge Asset Management Plan lays out priorities and various strategies including regular maintenance to extend the service life of bridges and reduce life cycle costs, and preservation to ensure that bridge assets do not deteriorate to a condition that is beyond repair.  Funding levels for this program fall short of preservation needs.

Locally Owned Bridges: Local jurisdictions assess bridge condition, and apply for competitive funding as opportunities allow. Funding for local bridge preservation and rehabilitation is a critical need – including funding for short-span bridges, but adequate funding is not available for a proactive approach.


Other Needs


Other critical needs for local bridges, aside from increased funding, include:
  • A statewide study to determine seismic vulnerability of local bridges
  • Improving weight restricted and load posted bridges, so that heavy vehicles are not diverted to local roads and bridges
  • Addressing identified bridge “bottlenecks”
  • Partnership funding for regionally significant bridges

What the Future Holds


42% of Thurston County’s bridges are in Fair Condition – or the condition where it is most cost effective to rehabilitate a bridge, however funding for preservation and rehabilitation of state bridges is insufficient to meet current needs. Funding for maintaining and extending the service life of locally owned bridges is even more limited. With bridges providing critical links in our transportation network, if adequate funding is not secured in coming years, travelers can expect greater restrictions on travel over bridges – especially on the locally owned bridge network.