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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SALTO ABAJO CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1892 | 7,800 |
| CA¥ABONCITO RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1989 | 7,800 |
| GURABO RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1980 | 7,800 |
| CA¥ABONCITO RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1930 | 7,800 |
| MUERTO CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1940 | 7,700 |
| GUAYNABO RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1939 | 7,500 |
| CAGUITAS RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 2004 | 7,260 |
| GRANDE RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1915 | 7,200 |
| CULEBRINAS RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1919 | 7,200 |
| LOS JOBOS RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1955 | 7,200 |
| WATERWAY | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1990 | 7,200 |
| CANDELERO RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1926 | 7,100 |
| SANTIAGO CHANNEL | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1946 | 7,100 |
| JOBITOS CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1958 | 7,000 |
| COROZAL RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1918 | 6,900 |
| CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1950 | 6,800 |
| SANTIAGO CHANNEL | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1919 | 6,600 |
| CERRO GORDO CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1960 | 6,500 |
| CA%AS RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1947 | 6,500 |
| CRUZ CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1942 | 6,500 |
| HONDA CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1891 | 6,400 |
| CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1950 | 6,400 |
| HONDA CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1891 | 6,400 |
| GUAYABOTA CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1940 | 6,300 |
| BERRACO CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1940 | 6,300 |
| LAJAS CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1939 | 6,300 |
| JACAGUAS RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1970 | 6,300 |
| CANCEL CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1920 | 6,200 |
| CIDRA RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1973 | 6,100 |
| MULA CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1908 | 6,000 |
| VIVI RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1947 | 6,000 |
| RIO CULEBRINAS | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1901 | 5,900 |
| CHANNEL | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1966 | 5,900 |
| NUEVE PASOS RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1929 | 5,800 |
| UNKNOWN WATERWAY | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1980 | 5,800 |
| ARENAS RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1905 | 5,700 |
| LA PLATA RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1997 | 5,550 |
| MAGINA CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1969 | 5,500 |
| ANON CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1971 | 5,300 |
| SANTIAGO RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1918 | 5,300 |
| CIBUCO RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1949 | 5,300 |
| ARROYATA RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1991 | 5,200 |
| CASEI RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1902 | 5,200 |
| CASTAÑON CHANNEL | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1927 | 5,200 |
| CARICABOA RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1989 | 5,053 |
| BARRANQUITAS RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1911 | 5,000 |
| CHANNEL | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1910 | 5,000 |
| GRANDE DE LOIZA RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1950 | 5,000 |
| SANTIAGO RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1918 | 4,923 |
| ARENAS CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1929 | 4,900 |
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.