The bridge over a slough on the Niawiakum River on South Bend-Palix Road was recently listed as structurally deficient.
The Washington State Department of Transportation has deemed the bridge over the Niawiakum River on the South Bend-Palix Road as poor and structurally deficient. The bridge is traveled by several residents along with locals who collect water at the artesian well runoff just a few miles from the bridge.
According to the DOT, the department classifies a bridge as being in poor condition or structurally deficient as having "advanced deficiencies such as section loss, deterioration, cracking, spalling, scour, or seriously affected primary structural components. Bridges rated in poor condition may be posted with truck weight restrictions."
The report went on to list timber deterioration as the reason for being classified as poor condition/structurally deficient and it has been prioritized for replacement with a deficiency rating of 51.10%. It is currently open with no restrictions and is passable by drivers. It is not listed on the proposed projects for DOT in the coming years and it's uncertain when the bridge may be replaced.
Two other Pacific County Bridges have been classified as being in poor condition/structurally deficient: a bridge on US 101 over Greenhead Slough due to deteriorating timber with a deficiency rating of 56.90% and a bridge on SR 401 over the Naselle River overflow with a deficiency rating of 75%.