COPPER RIVER HWY
over COPPER DELTA
MILE POINT 37.0, Alaska
Condition
FairYear Built
1977
Daily Traffic
94
Length
88 ft
About This Bridge
COPPER RIVER HWY carries traffic over COPPER DELTA in Alaska. Built in 1977, this structure is 49 years old, placing it among the older bridges still in active service. The bridge features prestressed concrete construction with a tee beam design, a combination chosen by engineers to meet the specific requirements of this crossing.
Approximately 94 vehicles cross this bridge daily, indicating lower traffic volumes common for local roads and rural routes. While traffic is lighter, these bridges still serve essential community transportation needs. Commercial trucks account for 1% of all crossings. This proportion of commercial traffic is typical for this roadway classification and is factored into the bridge's design load ratings.
The bridge is currently rated in fair condition based on federal inspection criteria established by the Federal Highway Administration. The structure meets current safety standards for its designated use and load capacity. With a total length of 88 feet, this is a shorter span typical of local road crossings, often carrying traffic over small streams, drainage channels, or other roadways.
Concrete bridges offer excellent durability and relatively low maintenance requirements. They resist corrosion well but can develop cracking over time, particularly in regions with freeze-thaw cycles or heavy use of deicing chemicals. Regular inspection focuses on detecting cracks, spalling, and reinforcement corrosion.
Federal law requires that all highway bridges be inspected at least every 24 months by qualified inspectors following the National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS). Some bridges with known issues or unusual characteristics may be inspected more frequently. Inspection data is reported to the National Bridge Inventory, a database maintained by the Federal Highway Administration that tracks the condition of all public highway bridges in the United States. This bridge data is sourced from that federal database and reflects the most recent available inspection results.
Condition Ratings
Deck Condition
Good
Superstructure
Good
Substructure
Satisfactory
Channel & Protection
Very Good
Lowest Rating
Determines condition category
NBI condition ratings range from 0 (failed) to 9 (excellent). Ratings of 4 or below are considered poor. The overall condition category is determined by the lowest individual component rating.
The fair condition rating of 6 indicates satisfactory condition with minor section loss or deterioration.
For a structure built in 1977, this condition level is expected given the bridge's age and usage patterns. If this bridge were closed, traffic would face a detour of approximately 124 miles, underscoring the importance of maintaining this crossing.
Bridge Details
Prestressed Concrete is the primary structural material, which influences maintenance requirements and expected lifespan. The tee beam design was selected based on span requirements, load capacity needs, and site conditions at the time of construction. Maintenance responsibility falls to State Highway Agency.
Construction
Dimensions
Span dimensions affect structural design choices and load distribution. The deck area of 2,361 sq ft determines surface maintenance scope.
Classification
Status
Traffic Data
Traffic volume data helps engineers assess bridge wear patterns and plan maintenance schedules. Average Daily Traffic (ADT) counts are updated periodically and represent typical weekday usage.
94
Avg Daily Traffic (2011)
Vehicles per day crossing this bridge
1%
Truck Traffic
Commercial vehicle percentage
150
Projected Future ADT
Estimated future demand
This bridge carries approximately 94 vehicles per day, translating to roughly 34,310 crossings annually. Lower traffic volumes generally result in less structural wear over time.
Commercial trucks comprise 1% of traffic. Heavy vehicles cause disproportionate wear—a single fully loaded truck can have the impact of thousands of passenger cars on bridge deck surfaces.
Traffic projections estimate future volumes of 150 vehicles daily, a 60% increase from current levels. These projections inform capacity planning and potential upgrade requirements.
Load Ratings
Load ratings determine what weight this bridge can safely support. These values are critical for routing heavy vehicles and issuing overweight permits.
Operating Rating
6.7 tons
Maximum allowable load for special permits
Inventory Rating
3.2 tons
Load level for normal traffic
The operating rating of 6.7 tons represents the absolute maximum load this bridge can carry under controlled conditions with special permits. The inventory rating of 3.2 tons is the safe load limit for everyday traffic without restrictions. These relatively low ratings may result in posted weight limits or route restrictions for heavy vehicles.
5-Year Condition Trend
↓DecliningCondition has declined by 1.0 rating points since 2020
Data: 2020-2024 FHWA National Bridge Inventory
Location
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60.996667, -144.974444
Identification
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Data Source: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) National Bridge Inventory 2024
Bridge inspection data is typically updated every 24 months. Conditions may have changed since the last inspection.
“Structurally deficient” does not mean a bridge is unsafe or likely to collapse. It indicates that one or more key structural elements are in poor or worse condition. Bridges are inspected regularly and may have load restrictions in place.
This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used for route clearance or vehicle weight decisions.