W.B. & REV I-90

over LAKE WASHINGTON

2.6 E JCT I-5, King County, Washington

Condition

Fair

Year Built

1989

Daily Traffic

63,053

Length

574 ft

About This Bridge

W.B. & REV I-90 carries traffic over LAKE WASHINGTON in King County, Washington. Built in 1989, this structure is 37 years old, built during a period of significant highway expansion. The bridge features prestressed concrete construction with a box beam - multiple design, a combination chosen by engineers to meet the specific requirements of this crossing.

Approximately 63,053 vehicles cross this bridge daily, making it a high-traffic corridor critical to regional transportation. Bridges carrying this volume require enhanced inspection schedules and proactive maintenance programs. Commercial trucks account for 4% 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 574 feet, this is a major span requiring specialized engineering expertise for inspection and maintenance. Longer bridges present unique challenges including thermal expansion, wind loads, and more complex structural analysis.

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

7

Deck Condition

Good

7

Superstructure

Good

5

Substructure

Fair

8

Channel & Protection

Very Good

5

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 5 indicates some deterioration that warrants monitoring but doesn't affect structural integrity.

For a structure built in 1989, this condition level is expected given the bridge's age and usage patterns. High traffic volumes on a bridge in fair or poor condition typically elevate its priority for rehabilitation or replacement in state transportation planning. If this bridge were closed, traffic would face a detour of approximately 99 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 box beam - multiple 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

Year Built1989
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
Design TypeBox Beam - Multiple
OwnerState Highway Agency

Dimensions

Total Length574 ft (174.9 m)
Max Span574 ft (174.9 m)
Deck Width11 ft
Deck Area55,955 sq ft

The maximum span length indicates this is a major crossing requiring specialized engineering. The deck area of 55,955 sq ft determines surface maintenance scope.

Classification

Route TypeInterstate
Route Number9
Lanes On Bridge5
Lanes Under Bridge

Status

Toll BridgeNo
Historical SignificanceEligible for NRHP
Scour Critical8
Detour Length99 mi (159 km)

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.

63,053

Avg Daily Traffic (2022)

Vehicles per day crossing this bridge

4%

Truck Traffic

Commercial vehicle percentage

104,170

Projected Future ADT

Estimated future demand

This bridge carries approximately 63,053 vehicles per day, translating to roughly 23,014,345 crossings annually. This high volume places significant demands on the structure and necessitates frequent inspections.

Commercial trucks comprise 4% 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 104,170 vehicles daily, a 65% 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

1.9 tons

Maximum allowable load for special permits

Inventory Rating

1.5 tons

Load level for normal traffic

The operating rating of 1.9 tons represents the absolute maximum load this bridge can carry under controlled conditions with special permits. The inventory rating of 1.5 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

Stable

Condition has remained relatively stable since 2020

Data: 2020-2024 FHWA National Bridge Inventory

Location

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48.270000, -123.802500

Identification

Structure Number0012271A0000000
NBI IDWA-0012271A0000000
State FIPS53
County FIPS033

Explore More

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.

W.B. & REV I-90 over LAKE WASHINGTON, Washington — Bridge Condition | BridgeReport.org | BridgeReport.org