Scour Critical Bridges in Puerto Rico
496 bridges in Puerto Rico at risk from water erosion around foundations.
Scour Critical Bridges
Scour is the erosion of soil and rock around a bridge's foundation caused by moving water. When foundations are exposed or undermined, a bridge can collapse even if its deck and superstructure are in good condition. Scour is the leading cause of bridge failures in the US. These 496 bridges in Puerto Rico have been identified as vulnerable to scour damage.
| Bridge | State | Scour Status | Condition | Year Built | ADT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Vega Creek | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1940 | 10,300 |
| LA MINA RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1862 | 10,300 |
| LA VEGA CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1940 | 10,300 |
| GALLARDO CHANNEL | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1961 | 10,300 |
| WATERWAY | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1930 | 10,300 |
| CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1930 | 10,300 |
| COFRESI CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1940 | 10,300 |
| UNNAMED CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1999 | 10,300 |
| PORTUGUES RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1969 | 10,200 |
| PORTUGUES RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1969 | 10,200 |
| CAMUY RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1942 | 10,100 |
| GUAYNABO RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1954 | 10,000 |
| CEDRO CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1953 | 9,900 |
| UNNAMED CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1950 | 9,800 |
| ARROYATA CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1950 | 9,700 |
| BAIROA RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1961 | 9,600 |
| BAYAMON RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1949 | 9,600 |
| AGUAS LARGAS CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1949 | 9,600 |
| CANOVANILLAS RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1953 | 9,600 |
| LOS FRAILES CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1999 | 9,500 |
| GANDEL CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1884 | 9,400 |
| PORTUGUES RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1948 | 9,200 |
| VACA RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1958 | 9,100 |
| CULEBRINAS RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1955 | 9,000 |
| ARENAS CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1939 | 9,000 |
| GRANDE DE MANATI RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1955 | 9,000 |
| VIVI RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1965 | 9,000 |
| VIVI RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1965 | 9,000 |
| GRANDE DE MANATI RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1955 | 9,000 |
| UNIBON RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1921 | 8,900 |
| AIBONITO RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1970 | 8,900 |
| AGUACATE CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1920 | 8,800 |
| COROZAL RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1966 | 8,800 |
| LA PLATA RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1951 | 8,700 |
| BAIROA RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1981 | 8,700 |
| CULEBRA RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1960 | 8,700 |
| GRANDE DE LOIZA RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1955 | 8,700 |
| INGENIO RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1918 | 8,600 |
| GUANAJIBO RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1978 | 8,600 |
| GRANDE CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1984 | 8,500 |
| BRUJO RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 2002 | 8,500 |
| PASTILLO RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1915 | 8,500 |
| GUAJATACA RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1978 | 8,500 |
| UNNAMED CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1994 | 8,500 |
| DO¥A DOLORES CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1945 | 8,500 |
| MATON RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1927 | 8,300 |
| JUAN ORRACA CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1929 | 8,300 |
| BOQUERON CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1933 | 8,300 |
| GRANDE DE LOIZA RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1940 | 8,300 |
| GUANAJIBO RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1978 | 8,000 |
Scour Critical Rating Codes
| Code 2 — Unaddressed | Bridge is scour critical with no countermeasures installed. The foundation is vulnerable and no protective action has been taken. |
| Code 3 — Countermeasures Installed | Protective measures (riprap, sheet piling, etc.) have been installed to reduce scour risk, but the bridge remains classified as scour critical. |
| Code 6 — Countermeasures Ineffective | Protective measures were installed but have been assessed as ineffective. The bridge requires re-evaluation and additional action. |
About Scour Critical Bridges
Scour critical bridges have been identified through underwater inspection or analysis as having foundations that are unstable or could become unstable during flood conditions. FHWA requires action plans for all scour critical bridges. Famous scour failures include the 1987 Schoharie Creek Bridge collapse in New York.