SR 542 over Chain UP Creek
Whatcom County, Washington · rated Poor in the 2025 National Bridge Inventory
United States Bridge Conditions2025 National Bridge Inventory, FHWACompiled
- SR 542 over Chain UP Creek in Whatcom County, Washington, is rated in poor condition in the 2025 National Bridge Inventory (as of ).
- Its lowest-rated component is the deck, rated 3 (serious condition) on the 0-9 scale.
- It was built in 2010, making it 15 years old at the 2025 inventory.
- It carries about 1,283 vehicles a day (traffic count year 2023).
- Its listed owner is the state highway agency.
- It is one of 20 of the 355 inventoried bridges in Whatcom County rated poor (5.6%); 20 (5.6%) are rated poor.
- A poor rating means at least one major component - deck, superstructure, or substructure - is rated 4 or lower on FHWA's 0-9 scale. It does not by itself mean the bridge is unsafe; bridges judged unsafe are closed or load-restricted by their owners.
View this bridge on a map → (48.90544, -121.84161)
Component ratings
| Component | Rating (2025) | FHWA scale meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Deck | 3 | Serious condition |
| Superstructure | 8 | Very good condition |
| Substructure | 8 | Very good condition |
Bridge details
| Structure | Prestressed concrete slab |
| Length | about 37 ft |
| Location | 16.1 E Jct SR 547 |
| NBI structure number | 0017875A0000000 |
| Condition class | Poor |
Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2025 data as reported by the Washington department of transportation.
Busiest bridges in Whatcom County
| Bridge | Built | Vehicles/day | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| I-5 over Orchard Dr/squalicum CR | 1958 | 39,925 | Fair |
| I-5 over Orchard Dr/squalicum CR | 1958 | 39,925 | Fair |
| I-5 over Meador Ave | 1957 | 38,169 | Fair |
| I-5 over Meador Ave | 1957 | 38,169 | Fair |
| I-5 over Iowa St | 1957 | 33,565 | Fair |
| I-5 over Whatcom Creek | 1957 | 33,565 | Fair |
All bridges nearby: Whatcom County, WA bridge conditions · every bridge in Whatcom County · Washington bridges.
Background: how bridge ratings work · what "poor" and "structurally deficient" actually mean · how often bridges are inspected.