Denali Highway over Gulkana River
Copper River Census Area, Alaska · rated Fair in the 2025 National Bridge Inventory
United States Bridge Conditions2025 National Bridge Inventory, FHWACompiled
- Denali Highway over Gulkana River in Copper River Census Area, Alaska, is rated in fair condition in the 2025 National Bridge Inventory (as of ).
- Its lowest-rated component is the deck, rated 6 (satisfactory condition) on the 0-9 scale.
- It was built in 1951, making it 74 years old at the 2025 inventory.
- It carries about 80 vehicles a day (traffic count year 2020).
- Its listed owner is the state highway agency.
- It is one of 25 of the 53 inventoried bridges in Copper River Census Area rated fair (47.2%); 3 (5.7%) are rated poor.
- Its traffic status in the 2025 inventory is open, no restriction (NBI item 41).
- Its condition class and component ratings are unchanged from the 2024 inventory.
- Its most recent inspection on record is dated July 2023, on a 24-month routine inspection cycle.
- A fair rating means the lowest-rated major component scores 5 or 6 on FHWA's 0-9 scale: some deterioration or minor section loss, but the structure is sound. It is the middle class, not a warning.
View this bridge on a map → (63.03139, -145.50139)
Component ratings
| Component | Rating (2024) | Rating (2025) | FHWA scale meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deck | 6 | 6 | Satisfactory condition |
| Superstructure | 7 | 7 | Good condition |
| Substructure | 6 | 6 | Satisfactory condition |
Bridge details
| Structure | Steel stringer or multi-beam girder |
| Length | about 81 ft |
| Location | Mile Point 0.2 |
| NBI structure number | 0681 |
| Condition class | Fair |
| Traffic status (item 41) | Open, no restriction |
| Last inspection (item 90) | July 2023 |
| Inspection interval (item 91) | 24 months |
| Scour (item 113) | 5: foundations stable, scour within the limits of the footing or piles |
Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2025 data as reported by the Alaska department of transportation.
Busiest bridges in Copper River Census Area
| Bridge | Built | Vehicles/day | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richardson Highway over Gulkana River | 1974 | 880 | Poor |
| Glenn Highway over Little Nelchina River | 1973 | 820 | Good |
| Glenn Hwy Spur over Little Nelchina River | 1952 | 765 | Fair |
| Glenn Highway over Mendeltna Creek | 1977 | 760 | Fair |
| Glenn Highway over Tolsona Creek | 2013 | 710 | Good |
| Richardson Highway over Tazlina River | 1973 | 640 | Fair |
All bridges nearby: Copper River Census Area, AK bridge conditions · every bridge in Copper River Census Area · Alaska bridges.
Background: how bridge ratings work · what "poor" and "structurally deficient" actually mean · how often bridges are inspected.