FHWA NBI 2026 Inspection record Public-domain dataset

IRR BIA ROUTE 008

Carrying IRR BIA ROUTE 008 over UNNAMED STREAM

S OF KLAWOCK LAKE, 3.9 MI, Prince of Wales-Hyder, Alaska

FHWA NBI inspection record for this structure. Condition ratings, inventory load rating, span, deck width, and average daily traffic refresh annually with each NBI release.

Fair
90 t Inventory load rating

Bridge Snapshot: IRR BIA ROUTE 008

The IRR BIA ROUTE 008 bridge in Prince of Wales-Hyder, Alaska carries IRR BIA ROUTE 008 over UNNAMED STREAM. It was built in 1990, making it 36 years old today. The structure is built primarily of wood or timber and spans 1 section, stretching 7.5 meters (25 feet) end to end. Daily traffic averages 1 vehicles, placing it in the lower-traffic tier of Alaska bridges. It is owned and maintained by Indian Tribal Government, the entity responsible for routine inspections and any needed repairs.

The latest FHWA inspection records show superstructure at 6/9, substructure at 5/9 on the 0–9 NBI scale, where 9 is excellent and 0 is failed. The weakest component sits in fair condition, which drives the overall status of this bridge. No major component scores in the poor range, so the bridge is not classified as structurally deficient under federal criteria. Its NBI inventory load rating is 89.8 metric tons — the load level the structure is rated to carry at inventory (long-term) level.

In a county that maintains hundreds of NBI-tracked bridges, IRR BIA ROUTE 008 is one data point in a Alaska inventory that FHWA inspects on a two-year cycle (more often when ratings fall). Bridge age alone is not a reliable safety signal — a 36-era structure can outperform a newer one when maintenance is consistent, materials are sound, and traffic loads stay within design limits. Use the condition ratings above, the sufficiency score, and the structurally-deficient flag together to read the bridge's real status, and check the linked county and state pages to see how this bridge ranks against its peers.

Every figure on this page comes directly from the Federal Highway Administration National Bridge Inventory (NBI), the public dataset that catalogs more than 617,000 highway bridges across the United States and is updated annually from the records that each state Department of Transportation submits to the FHWA. The condition codes use the standardized FHWA Recording and Coding Guide, the same scale that determines federal eligibility for the Highway Bridge Program and the Surface Transportation Block Grant set-aside for off-system bridges. A "structurally deficient" classification under those federal criteria is a maintenance and funding flag, never a closure order; states keep deficient bridges open with load posting, weight limits, or accelerated inspection cycles until rehabilitation or replacement is funded. See our methodology for refresh cadence and the exact NBI release vintage powering each record.

How IRR BIA ROUTE 008 compares

▲ 55.0
Load rating vs Alaska average (34.8 t)
Top 2%
Higher load rating than 98% of Alaska bridges
185
Bridges in Prince of Wales-Hyder · 14 structurally deficient
IRR BIA ROUTE 008 89.8 t
Alaska average 34.8 t

NBI inventory load rating (metric tons) and structural-deficiency status compared across Alaska, computed live from the FHWA NBI.

Condition Ratings

Superstructure
6/9
Fair (5–6)
Substructure
5/9
Fair (5–6)
Inventory Load Rating
89.8 t
NBI inventory level (metric tons)
SD Status
Not SD

Ratings are on a 0–9 scale: 9 = Excellent, 7–8 = Good, 5–6 = Fair, 3–4 = Poor, 0–2 = Critical/Failed. Sufficiency rating (0–100) combines structural adequacy, functional obsolescence, and essentiality.

Structural Details

Year Built
1990
Material
Wood or Timber
Number of Spans
1
Structure Length
7.5 m (25 ft)
Deck Width
4.0 m (13 ft)
Owner
Indian Tribal Government
Avg Daily Traffic
1 vehicles/day
Structure Number
0000E09108T0540

Location

S OF KLAWOCK LAKE, 3.9 MI, Prince of Wales-Hyder, Alaska
55.495306, -132.976000
View on Google Maps ↗

Data Source

Data from the FHWA National Bridge Inventory (NBI). Bridge inspections are required every two years by federal law. Conditions reflect the most recent inspection.

FHWA NBI Program ↗

Condition Analysis

Built in 1990, this bridge is 36 years old. It carries approximately 1 vehicles per day. Based on the most recent FHWA inspection:

  • The superstructure (beams and supports above the deck) is in fair condition (6/9), with minor deterioration that may require routine maintenance.
  • The substructure (piers and abutments) is in fair condition (5/9), with minor deterioration that may require routine maintenance.

Its NBI inventory load rating reflects the load level it is rated to carry.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do the condition ratings mean for IRR BIA ROUTE 008?

Bridge condition ratings use a 0–9 scale set by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Ratings 7–9 indicate good condition with no significant problems. Ratings 5–6 mean fair condition with minor issues. Ratings 3–4 indicate poor condition requiring repair. Ratings 0–2 are critical, meaning the bridge has serious structural problems. IRR BIA ROUTE 008 in Prince of Wales-Hyder, Alaska, superstructure rating of 6/9, and substructure rating of 5/9.

How often is IRR BIA ROUTE 008 inspected?

Federal law requires most highway bridges to be inspected at least every 24 months. Bridges in poor condition or with known issues may be inspected more frequently (every 12 months or less). IRR BIA ROUTE 008 is part of the National Bridge Inventory maintained by the FHWA. With 1 vehicles crossing daily, regular inspection is essential.

What does "structurally deficient" mean for a bridge?

A structurally deficient bridge has at least one major component (deck, superstructure, or substructure) rated 4 or below on the FHWA 0–9 scale. This classification does NOT mean the bridge is unsafe for travel — it means the bridge needs repair, rehabilitation, or eventual replacement. Structurally deficient bridges remain open and are monitored. IRR BIA ROUTE 008 is not classified as structurally deficient.

What is the inventory load rating for IRR BIA ROUTE 008?

The NBI inventory rating is the load level a bridge is rated to carry for an indefinite period, recorded in metric tons. A lower number means the structure is more load-restricted. IRR BIA ROUTE 008 has an inventory load rating of 89.8 metric tons. It is distinct from the FHWA sufficiency rating, a separate 0–100 funding-eligibility score that this dataset does not include.

Who is responsible for maintaining IRR BIA ROUTE 008?

Bridge ownership and maintenance responsibility varies — bridges may be owned by state DOTs, counties, cities, railroads, or federal agencies. IRR BIA ROUTE 008 is maintained by Indian Tribal Government. The FHWA oversees the National Bridge Inventory program and sets inspection standards, but day-to-day maintenance falls to the owning agency. If you notice damage or safety concerns, contact your state DOT or call 911 for emergencies.

How old is IRR BIA ROUTE 008 and does age affect safety?

IRR BIA ROUTE 008 was built in 1990, making it 36 years old. Bridge age alone does not determine safety — condition depends on materials, design, traffic load, maintenance history, and environmental exposure. Many older bridges remain in good condition due to regular maintenance and reconstruction.

Disclaimer: Bridge condition data is from the FHWA NBI and reflects the last reported inspection. A structurally deficient rating does not mean a bridge is closed or unsafe for travel — it indicates the bridge requires repair or replacement. For current closure or safety information, contact your state DOT.

Related

Data sourced from official U.S. government datasets. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainBridges Editorial