HomeMy WebLinkAbout2_01-4 Bridge Inspection ProgramPURPOSE: To protect the public’s safety and investment in bridge structures.
GOALS: 1. Keep the City owned bridges open and safe for public use.
2. Preserve bridges by maximizing the useful life through maintenance, retrofits and rehabilitation.
3. Replace bridges with reliable new structures when repair or rehabilitation is not feasible.
4. Program required for agencies to qualify for FHWA Fed Aid, Local Bridge Program (LBP) funding.
SCOPE: Visual inspection of all city owned bridges located within the public right-of-way, open to public use.
Bridge Inspection Program
The information captured in the bridge inspection reports is used to:
•Determine the overall health of the bridge (i.e. good, fair, poor).
•Identify areas of a structure in need of repair and/or maintenance.
•Identify structures in need of rehabilitation and/or replacement.
•Revise bridge load ratings and scour evaluations as necessary.
2. Short Spans (Non-NBI):
•Defined as bridges that carry vehicles, spanning less than 20-ft.
•Typical inspection frequency is every 24 months.•This program has 2 bridges in this category.
CATEGORIES:
1.National Bridge Inventory (NBI):
•Defined as bridges that carry vehicles, spanning greater than 20-ft. •Typical inspection frequency is every 24 months.
•This program has 24 bridges in this category (1 co-owned with Tukwila).
Wells Avenue Bridge (Renton-04)Oakesdale Ave Ext Bridge (Renton-29)
Elma Place NE Bridge (Renton-
34A)S 55th Street Culvert (Renton-
40A)
Houser Way Ped Bridge (Renton-06B)
3. Pedestrian (Non-NBI):
•Defined as bridges that are for pedestrian use only.
•Typical inspection frequency is every 24 months.
•This program has 1 bridge in this category.
Bridge Inspection Program
National Bridge Inventory (NBI) structures:
24 structures (1 shared with Tukwila)
Average age = 38 years
Oldest bridge = Bronson Way Bridge (Renton-42, 87 years)
2025 inspections = 19 structures
2024 inspections = 5 structures
Overall condition:
•Good = 7
•Fair = 17•Poor = 0
Bridges posted for vehicle weight limits:
•Renton-03 (Williams Ave Bridge, 72 years, 3rd oldest)
•Renton-05 Houser Way Bridge, 66 years, 4th oldest)
•Renton-35 (Nile Ave NE Bridge, 75 years, 2nd oldest)*
Scour critical structures = 0
Bridge Inspection Program
Non-NBI structures:
3 structures (2 short span, 1 ped)
Average age = 30 years
2025 inspections = 1 structure2024 inspections = 2 structures
Overall condition:•Good = 1
•Fair = 2
•Poor = 0
*NOTE: Nile Ave NE Bridge (Renton-35) was constructed by King County in 1951. It
was conveyed to city with 2009 Mackay annexation. Originally classified a short span, city successfully argued NBI eligibility in 2017. NBI eligibility = eligibility for FHWA Fed
Aid. Unfortunately, FHWA adoption of Specs for the National Bridge Inventory (SNBI)
has now called into question the NBI eligibility of this bridge.
Project Name Description Grants Project Schedule
Bronson Way Bridge – Seismic
Retrofit and Painting
(location: Cedar River)
Completed seismic retrofit. Removed existing paint
from steel members and applied new paint system.
$3.0 million
(WA state)
Construction completed in 2023.
Houser Way Bridge – Seismic
Retrofit and Painting
(location: Cedar River)
Perform seismic retrofit. Remove existing paint
from steel members and apply new paint system.
$3.0 million
(FHWA)
Construction planned for 2026.
Williams Ave Bridge – Seismic
Retrofit and Painting
(location: Cedar River)
Perform seismic retrofit. Remove existing paint
from steel members and apply new paint system.
$3.0 million
(FHWA)
Construction planned for 2026.
BRIDGE PROJECTS
Bridge Inspection Program
Project Name Description Estimate Project Schedule
Cedar River Channel Debris
Removal
Cedar River flooding in Dec. 2025 resulted in
deposit of approx. 75 logs in the channel between I-
405 ped bridge and north Boeing Bridge. The debris
presents a hazard to structures that span over
Cedar River.
$1.05 million
(potentially
FEMA)
Work must be completed within 6
months of presidential disaster
declaration (TBD). Potential for FEMA
funds increases with progress but
requires city to cash flow work.
Talbot Road S Bridge
(Panther Creek at Talbot Rd S
Culvert Replacement)
Culvert has failed. Surface Water plans to conduct
temporary repairs in summer 2026. Surface Water
lead on bridge design. Transportation providing
design support and funding for const.
$10 million
for const.
(TBD)
Temporary culvert repairs in summer
2026 or 2027. Work requires HPA. HPA
condition requires bridge complete
within 5 years of issuing HPA.
Nile Ave NE Bridge (Renton-35)
Replacement
The 75 years old structure spans May Creek. The
overall bridge condition is Fair to Poor. On average
May Creek overtops Nile Ave NE at the bridge every
two years.
$250,000 for
Type, Size &
Location
Study (city)
Complete a Type, Size & Location study
in 2027. Study used to evaluate
alternatives. Once completed, the city
will have 10% plans of preferred
alternative and associated construction
cost estimate to pursue grant funding.
FUTURE PLANNED BRIDGE PROJECTS