Bridges - Conditions

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.

FY2019

WSDOT meets target for bridges in fair or better condition in FY2019

As of June 2019, 92.9% of WSDOT-owned bridges by deck area were in fair or better structural condition, improving from June 2018 when 92.5% of bridges by deck area were in fair or better condition. This meets the agency's goal of having at least 90% of its bridges by deck area in fair or better condition. However, the percentage of WSDOT-owned bridges that were in good condition declined between FY2018 and FY2019, going from 38.4% to 37.1%

Condition of locally owned bridges declines slightly from FY2018 to FY2019

As of June 2019, there were 4,112 locally owned bridges in Washington state, which were collectively crossed an average of 10 million times per day. Approximately 95% of all of Washington's locally owned bridges by deck area were in fair or better condition during the Federal Highway Administration's 2019 reporting period (April 2018 through March 2019), worsening slightly from 96% in the 2018 reporting period.