Worst Bridges in Alaska

Bridges with the lowest condition ratings in Alaska. Alaska has 133 bridges in poor condition (7.9% of 1,685 total bridges).

1,685

Total Bridges

7.9%

In Poor Condition

133

Poor Bridges

133

Rating 0-4

Understanding Bridge Conditions in Alaska

Alaska's bridge infrastructure reflects decades of construction, maintenance, and replacement decisions influenced by geography, climate, traffic patterns, and available funding. With 133 bridges currently rated in poor condition (7.9% of the total inventory), understanding what these ratings mean helps residents and policymakers make informed decisions about infrastructure investment.

Federal inspectors evaluate three key components on every highway bridge: the deck (the driving surface and its immediate supports), the superstructure (beams, girders, trusses, or other primary load-carrying members), and the substructure (piers, abutments, and foundations that transfer loads to the ground). Each component receives a rating from 0 to 9, with the lowest of these three ratings determining the overall condition category. A rating of 4 or below classifies a bridge as “poor,” indicating significant structural deterioration that warrants prioritized attention.

Poor-rated bridges remain safe for use at their posted limits because federal law requires that any bridge with load-carrying deficiencies be either repaired, posted with weight restrictions, or closed. Many poor-rated bridges receive more frequent inspections than the standard 24-month cycle, allowing engineers to monitor deterioration rates and ensure conditions have not worsened beyond safe operating limits. Weight restrictions protect the structure while allowing continued service until rehabilitation or replacement can be funded and constructed.

Infrastructure investment decisions involve difficult trade-offs between maintaining aging structures and building new capacity. Bridges listed below represent the most deteriorated structures in Alaska's inventory, where rehabilitation or replacement investment would have the greatest impact on improving overall infrastructure condition. Understanding where these bridges are located helps communities advocate for appropriate funding and plan alternative routes when load restrictions affect commercial traffic.

Condition Rating Scale

0-2

Failed to Critical

Closed or severely restricted. Major deterioration requiring immediate action.

3-4

Serious to Poor

Significant deterioration affecting capacity. Often weight-restricted.

5-6

Fair

Minor deterioration visible. Maintenance recommended but not urgent.

7-9

Good to Excellent

Components in sound condition with no significant deficiencies.

Lowest Rated Bridges in Alaska

133 bridges rated 0-4 on the federal condition scale, sorted by lowest rating first. Showing first 50 — click below to expand.

RankBridgeRatingYear BuiltCondition
#1NUC CIRCLE ROAD

over CREEK

On Blair Lake Range. Con

01998Poor
#2IRR BIA RTE 8PGH

over UNNAMED CREEK

15.4 Mi SE of Port Graha

01997Poor
#3IRR BIA RTE 1048

over WINDY CREEK RIGHT

16.6 Mi SE of Port Graham

01997Poor
#4IRR BIA RTE 002

over UNNAMED STREAM

NUIQSUT

01980Poor
#5COPPER RIVER HWY

over COPPER DELTA

MILE POINT 36.2

11977Poor
#6IRR BIA RTE 1026

over UNNAMED CREEK

0.5 MI. N OF WINDY BAY RD

11997Poor
#7IRR BIA RTE 8PGH

over UNNAMED CREEK

14.5 Mi SE of Port Graham

11997Poor
#8STERLING L/OPHIR

over TAKOTNA RIVER

MILE POINT 21.8

21941Poor
#9CACHE CREEK ROAD

over FORTUNE CREEK

FAIRBANKS DNR

21991Poor
#10GRUBSTAKE-HATCHERS

over WILLOW CREEK

MILE POINT 0.1

21945Poor
#11LOGGING ROAD

over STREAM

KUPREANOF ISLAND AT KAKE

22003Poor
#12IRR BIA RTE 1045

over UNNAMED STREAM

0.2KM NW OF BARGE LANDING

21980Poor
#13LOGGING ROAD

over STREAM

SALT LAKE BAY

22002Poor
#14ROAD

over STREAM -1990

EIGHT FATHOM BIGHT

21990Poor
#15LOGGING ROAD

over FIRST CREEK

HOMESHORE

21985Poor
#16ROAD

over STREAM

SALT LAKE BAY

22002Poor
#17PARKS HIGHWAY

over HARDAGE CREEK

MILE POINT 148.3

31971Poor
#18FOURTH AVENUE

over SEWARD LAGOON

MILE POINT 0.5

31960Poor
#19IRR BIA RTE 26

over UNNAMED STREAM

10.7KM PAST TOTEM WAY

31980Poor
#20IRR BIA RTE 1026

over UNNAMED CREED

0.8 MI N OF WINDY BAY RD.

31997Poor
#21NO DATA ENTERED

over PALMER CREEK

PALMER CREEK ROAD

31957Poor
#22TANANA BRIDGE ROAD

over BOUNDRY SLOUGH

1.4 KM W-SW TANANA R BR

32012Poor
#23IRR BIA RTE 461

over UNNAMED CREEK

3.0 MI E. OF HYDABURG HWY

31982Poor
#24IRR BIA RTE 461

over UNNAMED CREEK

5.6 MILES EAST OF HYDABUR

31980Poor
#25IRR BIA RTE 461

over UNNAMED CREEK

5.9 MILES EAST OF HYDABUR

31980Poor
#26IRR BIA RTE 8PGH

over UNNAMED CREEK

14.2 Mi SE of Port Graham

31997Poor
#27IRR BIA RTE 27

over UNNAMED STREAM

2.8KM NORTH OF LANDFILL

31980Poor
#28FDR 6540

over STREAM - HAMILTON 60R36

ETOLIN ISLAND

31982Poor
#29ROAD

over NO DATA ENTERED

SALT LAKE BAY

32002Poor
#30SOUTH TONGASS HWY

over WATER ST VIADUCT

MILE POINT 1.7

41955Poor
#31SOUTH TONGASS HWY

over HOADLEY CREEK

MILE POINT 0.2

41957Poor
#32NORTH TONGASS HWY

over WARD CREEK

MILE POINT 4.6

41975Poor
#33MINNIE STREET

over NOYES SLOUGH (MINNIE ST)

MILE POINT 0.4

41953Poor
#34STERLING HIGHWAY

over SOUTH FORK ANCHOR RIVER

MILE POINT 120.7

41959Poor
#35REZANOF DRIVE

over SARGENT CREEK

MILE POINT 13.5

41980Poor
#36AURORA DRIVE

over NOYES SLOUGH (AURORA)

MILE POINT 0.2

41960Poor
#37PARK/HARRIS ST

over KETCHIKAN CREEK

MILE POINT 0.1

41957Poor
#38FUNNY RIVER ROAD

over FUNNY RIVER

MILE POINT 11.1

41969Poor
#39REZANOF DRIVE

over RUSSIAN RIVER

MILE POINT 13.7

41980Poor
#40GLENN HIGHWAY

over KINGS RIVER

MILE POINT 59.1

41961Poor
#41CRAIG/KLAWOCK/HOLL

over CRAB CREEK CULVERT

MILE POINT 1.5

41985Poor
#42COPPER RIVER HWY

over EYAK RIVER

MILE POINT 5.7

41954Poor
#43GUSTAVUS AIRPORT R

over SALMON RIVER

MILE POINT 1.5

41976Poor
#44MARINE HWY ROUTE

over SKAGWAY FERRY TERMINAL

SKAGWAY

41980Poor
#45PARKS HIGHWAY

over NENANA RIVER AT REX

MILE POINT 240.3

41963Poor
#46RICHARDSON HIGHWAY

over GULKANA RIVER

MILE POINT 129.8

41974Poor
#47IRR:OCEAN CAPE RD

over ANKAU SLOUGH

MILE POINT 4.6

41961Poor
#48POINT WHITSHED RD

over HENEY CREEK

MILE POINT 1.8

41936Poor
#4991 MILE LOOP

over LITTLE TOK RIVER

OLD TOK ALIGNMENT MP0.0

41979Poor
#50RICHARDSON HIGHWAY

over UPPER MILLER CREEK

MILE POINT 217.9

41958Poor
#51RICHARDSON HIGHWAY

over CASTNER CREEK

MILE POINT 219.9

41958Poor
#52RICHARDSON HIGHWAY

over BEAR CREEK

MILE POINT 236.1

41952Poor
#53IRR:NORTHWAY ROAD

over FISH CAMP CREEK

MILE POINT 2.6

41987Poor
#54QUARTZ CREEK ROAD

over QUARTZ CREEK

MILE POINT 0.7

41958Poor
#55RICHARDSON HIGHWAY

over GUNN CREEK

MILE POINT 199.5

41954Poor
#56AMALGA STREET

over JORDAN CREEK (AMALGA ST)

MILE POINT 0.1

41982Poor
#57WILLOW/FISHHOOK RD

over WILLOW CREEK

MILE POINT 34.7

41975Poor
#58THORNE BAY ROAD

over GRAVELLY CREEK

MILE POINT 14.1

41989Poor
#59ALASKA HIGHWAY

over JOHNSON RIVER

MILE POINT 156.1

41944Poor
#60ALASKA HIGHWAY

over GERSTLE RIVER

MILE POINT 168.3

41944Poor
#61TAYLOR HIGHWAY

over TAYLOR CREEK

MILE POINT 50.3

41977Poor
#62PETERSVILLE ROAD

over MOOSE CREEK

MILE POINT 7.1

41974Poor
#63SHELTER COVE ROAD

over HARRIET HUNT CREEK

MILE POINT 2.7

41981Poor
#64IRR:STEESE HIGHWAY

over CROOKED CREEK

MILE POINT 122.3

41957Poor
#65IRR:JAKOLOF BAY RD

over BARABARA CREEK

MILE POINT 4.4

41968Poor
#66DALTON HIGHWAY

over HAMMOND RIVER

MILE POINT 190.0

41972Poor
#67NAUTICAL AVENUE

over SALMON CREEK TRIBUTARY

MILE POINT 0.1

41970Poor
#68IRR: AIRFIELD RD

over GOLD CREEK

MILE POINT 1.1

41972Poor
#69MINERAL CREEK ROAD

over MINERAL CREEK

MILE POINT 0.3

41970Poor
#70COPPER RIVER HWY

over MILLION DOLLAR BRIDGE

MILE POINT 48.8

41910Poor
#71DENALI HIGHWAY

over SUSITNA RIVER

MILE POINT 79.5

41956Poor
#72STARNER ROAD

over PETERS CREEK

BIRCHWOOD AREA

41989Poor
#73IRR:AIRPORT ROAD

over UNNAMED CREEK KOLIGANEK

KOLIGANEK

41980Poor
#74STERLING L/OPHIR

over CALIFORNIA CREEK

MILE POINT 37.1

41937Poor
#75STERLING L/OPHIR

over SPRUCE CREEK

MILE POINT 42.2

41964Poor
#76IRR:ANDERSON RD

over INDIAN CREEK

CHIGNIK

41985Poor
#77SAYLES/GORGE ST

over SAYLES/GORGE VIADUCT

MILE POINT 0.1

41960Poor
#78STANDARD CREEK RD

over GOLDSTREAM CREEK

MILE POINT 8.0

41994Poor
#79STANDARD CREEK RD

over STANDARD CREEK

MILE POINT 13.8

42006Poor
#80HARDING STREET

over HARDING STREET

MILE POINT 0.1

41968Poor
#81PETERSON STREET

over PETERSON STREET

MILE POINT 0.1

41955Poor
#82IRR:NOME-TELLER RD

over SINUK RIVER

MILE POINT 26.0

41967Poor
#83IRR:NOME-TELLER RD

over SNAKE RIVER

MILE POINT 7.1

41959Poor
#84TAYLOR HIGHWAY

over AMERICAN CREEK NO 1

MILE POINT 149.8

41988Poor
#85SECTION LINE RD

over LITTLE CHENA RIVER

MILE POINT 10.2

41980Poor
#86IRR BIA RTE 26

over UNNAMED STREAM

9.1KM FROM TOTEM WAY

41980Poor
#87IRR:AIRPORT ROAD

over SHAGELUK SLOUGH

SHAGELUK

41978Poor
#88HAPPY CREEK ROAD

over OTTER CREEK

MILE POINT 7.2 FLAT

41947Poor
#89MAIN STREET

over MAIN STREET PELICAN

PELICAN

41939Poor
#90MARINE HWY ROUTE

over COLD BAY DOCK

COLD BAY

41980Poor
#91IRR:KOLGNK DUMP RD

over UNNAMED CREEK

KOLIGANEK

41980Poor
#92OIL WELL ROAD

over MOOSE CREEK

MILE POINT 9.5

41998Poor
#93KAKE ACCESS - USFS

over MUSKEG CREEK

MILE POINT 0.0

41981Poor
#94IRR BIA RTE 8PGH

over UNNAMED CREEK

9.5 MI SE OF PORT GRAHAM

41997Poor
#95IRR BIA RTE 461

over UNNAMED CREEK

4.8 MILES EAST OF HYDABU

41980Poor
#96FDR 6590

over STREAM - MOD

ZAREMBO ISLAND

41980Poor
#978400000

over TRAIL # 828400SHOAL

SHOAL COVE

41992Poor
#9843500

over LOG

TONKA

42002Poor
#9943500

over LOG

TONKA

42002Poor
#10043506

over LOG

TONKA

42002Poor
#10143506

over LOG

TONKA

42002Poor
#10243506

over LOG

TONKA

42002Poor
#103NO DATA ENTERED

over NO DATA ENTERED

TONKA

42004Poor
#1043013000-1.06

over MOD

CONTROL LAKE

41977Poor
#105IRR BIA RTE 735

over SUKKWAN STRAIT

3.0 MILES EAST OF HYDABUR

41970Poor
#106NO DATA ENTERED

over PERM

UPPER CARROLL

41997Poor
#107IRR BIA ROUTE 008

over UNNAMED CREEK

S OF KLAWOCK LAKE 4.3 MI

42005Poor
#108LOGGING ROAD

over STREAM

KUPREANOF ISLAND PORTAGE

41981Poor
#109LOGGING ROAD

over STREAM

KUPREANOF ISLAND PORTAGE

41981Poor
#110LOGGING ROAD

over NO DATA ENTERED

ZAREMBO ISLAND

41991Poor
#111FDR 6540

over STREAM - HAMILTON 50R36

ETOLIN ISLAND

41983Poor
#112LOGGING ROAD

over CORNER CREEK TRIB

CORNER BAY

41974Poor
#113LOGGING ROAD

over STREAM

SALT LAKE BAY

41975Poor
#114LOGGING ROAD

over STREAM

SALT LAKE BAY

42003Poor
#115NO DATA ENTERED

over STREAM

SALT LAKE BAY

41980Poor
#116LOGGING ROAD

over FRESHWATER CREEK

FRESHWATER

41982Poor
#117PUBLIC ROAD

over W.F. SITUK

W.F. SITUK ROAD

41985Poor
#1182160000

over MOD

LANCASTER

41990Poor
#119NO DATA ENTERED

over MOD

MARGARET

41989Poor
#120NO DATA ENTERED

over NO DATA ENTERED

THOMAS BAY

42006Poor
#121NO DATA ENTERED

over STREAM

SALT LAKE BAY

42003Poor
#122ROAD

over STREAM

SALT LAKE BAY

42002Poor
#123ROAD

over STREAM

SALT LAKE BAY

42003Poor
#124ROAD

over STREAM

SALT LAKE BAY

42002Poor
#125ROAD

over STREAM

SALT LAKE BAY

42002Poor
#126ROAD

over NO DATA ENTERED

SALT LAKE BAY

42002Poor
#127ROAD

over STREAM

SALT LAKE BAY

42002Poor
#128ROAD

over STREAM

SALT LAKE BAY

42002Poor
#129ROAD

over STREAM

SALT LAKE BAY

42002Poor
#1302050000

over MOD

SHAHEEN

41991Poor
#1313065000-2.349

over MOD

WHALE PASS

41991Poor
#1328330000

over MOD

SHELTER

41992Poor
#1333015100-0.60

over LOG

THORNE BAY

41995Poor

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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.