Lower Metol Access over Metolius River
Jefferson County, Oregon · rated Fair in the 2025 National Bridge Inventory
United States Bridge Conditions2025 National Bridge Inventory, FHWACompiled
- Lower Metol Access over Metolius River in Jefferson County, Oregon, is rated in fair condition in the 2025 National Bridge Inventory (as of ).
- Its lowest-rated component is the substructure, rated 6 (satisfactory condition) on the 0-9 scale.
- It was built in 1947, making it 78 years old at the 2025 inventory.
- It carries about 46 vehicles a day (traffic count year 1988).
- It is one of 36 of the 80 inventoried bridges in Jefferson County rated fair (45.0%); 7 (8.8%) 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 August 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 → (44.55655, -121.62054)
Component ratings
| Component | Rating (2024) | Rating (2025) | FHWA scale meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deck | 7 | 7 | Good condition |
| Superstructure | 7 | 7 | Good condition |
| Substructure | 6 | 6 | Satisfactory condition |
Bridge details
| Structure | Steel stringer or multi-beam girder |
| Length | about 65 ft |
| Location | No Data Entered |
| NBI structure number | 060105000001021 |
| Condition class | Fair |
| Traffic status (item 41) | Open, no restriction |
| Last inspection (item 90) | August 2023 |
| Inspection interval (item 91) | 24 months |
| Scour (item 113) | 4: foundations stable, field review says exposed foundations need protection |
Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2025 data as reported by the Oregon department of transportation.
Busiest bridges in Jefferson County
| Bridge | Built | Vehicles/day | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| US 97 (hwy 004) over Crooked R Canyon High Br | 2000 | 17,957 | Good |
| US 97 (hwy 004) over Ochoco Main Canal N Unit | 2005 | 13,479 | Good |
| US 97 (hwy 004) over Ochoco Main Canal N Unit | 2005 | 12,575 | Good |
| US 97 (hwy 004)NB over Willow Creek | 2006 | 11,568 | Good |
| US 26 (Hwy 053) over BNSF | 2005 | 11,556 | Good |
| US 97 (hwy 004)SB over Willow Creek | 1966 | 10,393 | Fair |
All bridges nearby: Jefferson County, OR bridge conditions · every bridge in Jefferson County · Oregon bridges.
Background: how bridge ratings work · what "poor" and "structurally deficient" actually mean · how often bridges are inspected.