FHWA NBI 2026 Inspection record Public-domain dataset

Ala Wai GC Culvert

Carrying Ala Wai GC Culvert over Ala Wai GC Drain

TMK=2-7-36, Honolulu, Hawaii

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.

Structurally Deficient
8 t Inventory load rating

Bridge Snapshot: Ala Wai GC Culvert

The Ala Wai GC Culvert bridge in Honolulu, Hawaii carries Ala Wai GC Culvert over Ala Wai GC Drain. It was built in 1975, making it 51 years old today. The structure is built primarily of concrete and spans 5 sections, stretching 18.6 meters (61 feet) end to end. Daily traffic averages 1,000 vehicles, placing it in the lower-traffic tier of Hawaii bridges. It is owned and maintained by County Highway Agency, the entity responsible for routine inspections and any needed repairs.

The latest FHWA inspection records show culvert at 3/9 on the 0–9 NBI scale, where 9 is excellent and 0 is failed. The weakest component sits in poor condition, which drives the overall status of this bridge. Because at least one major component scores 4 or lower, the FHWA classifies this bridge as structurally deficient — a maintenance flag, not a closure order. Its NBI inventory load rating is 7.8 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, Ala Wai GC Culvert is one data point in a Hawaii inventory that FHWA inspects on a two-year cycle (more often when ratings fall). Bridge age alone is not a reliable safety signal — a 51-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 Ala Wai GC Culvert compares

▼ 25.4
Load rating vs Hawaii average (33.2 t)
Bottom 1%
Lower load rating than 99% of Hawaii bridges
686
Bridges in Honolulu · 47 structurally deficient
Ala Wai GC Culvert 7.8 t
Hawaii average 33.2 t

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

Condition Ratings

Culvert
3/9
Poor (1–4)
Inventory Load Rating
7.8 t
NBI inventory level (metric tons)
SD Status
Structurally Deficient

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
1975
Material
Concrete
Number of Spans
5
Structure Length
18.6 m (61 ft)
Deck Width
17.5 m (57 ft)
Owner
County Highway Agency
Avg Daily Traffic
1,000 vehicles/day
Structure Number
003296001900001

Location

TMK=2-7-36, Honolulu, Hawaii
21.276111, -157.818333
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 ↗

Frequently Asked Questions

What do the condition ratings mean for Ala Wai GC Culvert?

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. Ala Wai GC Culvert in Honolulu, Hawaii.

How often is Ala Wai GC Culvert 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). Ala Wai GC Culvert is part of the National Bridge Inventory maintained by the FHWA. With 1,000 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. Ala Wai GC Culvert is currently classified as structurally deficient.

What is the inventory load rating for Ala Wai GC Culvert?

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. Ala Wai GC Culvert has an inventory load rating of 7.8 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 Ala Wai GC Culvert?

Bridge ownership and maintenance responsibility varies — bridges may be owned by state DOTs, counties, cities, railroads, or federal agencies. Ala Wai GC Culvert is maintained by County Highway Agency. 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 Ala Wai GC Culvert and does age affect safety?

Ala Wai GC Culvert was built in 1975, making it 51 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