Bridges - Conditions

FY2024

WSDOT bridge conditions by deck area worsen in FY2024

The number of WSDOT-owned bridges in poor condition increased 7.5% from 213 bridges (4.1 million square feet) in June 2023 to 229 bridges (4.9 million square feet) in June 2024.

While some inventory was removed from the poor condition category due to repair, rehabilitation or replacement, the total percentage of WSDOT-owned bridges in poor condition increased from 7.2% in June 2023 to 8.5% in June 2024 (refer to chart above). The increase in the percentage of bridges in poor condition was primarily due to the Homer Hadley Bridge and the South Fork Willapa River Bridge, which contributed 1.15% (652,125 square feet of deck area) to this category. These two bridges are currently included in WSDOT's long-term bridge preservation list for proposed preservation projects.

As of June 2024, 91.5% of WSDOT-owned bridges by deck area were in fair or better structural condition, declining from 92.8% in June 2023. WSDOT met its annual goal of having at least 90% of its bridges by deck area in fair or better condition. However, it is anticipated that the inventory condition will worsen over time. Given the current funding level, WSDOT's Bridge Management System predicts the structural condition in fair or better is likely to fall within the range of 85.8% to 90.9% by 2027.

FY2023

WSDOT bridge conditions by deck area improve in FY2023

While the number of WSDOT-owned bridges in poor condition increased 7% from 199 bridges in June 2022 to 213 in June 2023, the agency removed some of its inventory from the poor condition category during this time due to repair, rehabilitation or replacement projects. As a result, the percentage of WSDOT-owned bridges by deck area in poor condition decreased from 7.4% (4.2 million square feet) in June 2022 to 7.2% (4.1 million square feet) in June 2023.

The decrease in the percentage of bridges by deck area in poor condition can be primarily attributed to the improvement of the Homer M. Hadley Memorial Bridge (Interstate 90 westbound). Between June 2022 and June 2023, WSDOT had 19 bridges that deteriorated to poor condition, and was able to improve five bridges to fair condition. Among these improved bridges, the Homer M. Hadley Memorial Bridge (602,385 square feet) accounts for 1.07% of the state-owned bridge deck area. Significant improvement to this specific bridge played a key role in lowering the overall percentage of bridges in poor condition.

As of June 2023, 92.8% of WSDOT-owned bridges by deck area were in fair or better structural condition, an improvement over 92.6% in June 2022. WSDOT met its annual goal of having at least 90% of its bridges by deck area in fair or better condition. However, it is anticipated that the inventory condition will worsen over time. Given the current funding level, WSDOT's Bridge Management System predicts the structural condition in fair or better is likely to fall within the range of 88% to 91.5% by 2027.

FY2022

WSDOT bridge conditions worsen in FY2022

WSDOT-owned bridges in poor condition increased from 179 bridges (3.8 million square feet) in June 2021 to 199 (4.2 million square feet) in June 2022. While some inventory was removed from the poor condition category due to repair, rehabilitation or replacement, the percentage of WSDOT-owned bridges in poor condition increased from 6.7% in June 2021 to 7.4% in June 2022. The increase in the poor condition percentage was primarily due to the SR 24 Yakima River Bridge and the two I-90 bridges over SR 906 near Snoqualmie Pass, which contributed 0.35% (196,363 square feet of deck area) to this category. These three bridges are currently programmed for preservation construction projects.

As of June 2022, 92.6% of WSDOT-owned bridges by deck area were in fair or better structural condition, declining from 93.2% in June 2021. Despite the drop WSDOT met its annual goal of having at least 90% of its bridges by deck area in fair or better condition.

FY2021

WSDOT bridge conditions worsen in FY2021

The number of bridges and the amount of square feet on WSDOT-owned bridges in poor condition increased from 164 bridges (3.5 million square feet) in June 2020 to 179 (3.8 million square feet) in June 2021. While some inventory was removed from the poor condition category due to repair, rehabilitation or replacement, the percentage of WSDOT-owned bridges in poor condition increased from 6.2% in June 2020 to 6.7% in June 2021. Much of this increase was due to having two I-90 bridges that cross the Mercer Slough in King County transition from fair to poor condition.

As of June 2021, 93.2% of WSDOT-owned bridges by deck area were in fair or better structural condition, declining from June 2020 when 93.8% of bridges by deck area were in fair or better condition. Despite the drop, the agency met its annual goal of having at least 90% of its bridges by deck area in fair or better condition.

FY2020

WSDOT meets target for bridges in fair or better condition in 2020

As of June 2020, 93.8% of WSDOT-owned bridges by deck area were in fair or better structural condition, improving from June 2019 when 92.9% of bridges by deck area were in fair or better condition. The improvement was largely due to the removal of the Alaskan Way Viaduct from WSDOT's bridge inventory. The agency met its goal of having at least 90% of its bridges by deck area in fair or better condition.