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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FAJARDO RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1961 | 3,600 |
| CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1976 | 3,600 |
| HIGUERO CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1986 | 3,600 |
| CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1965 | 3,600 |
| UNNAMED CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1950 | 3,600 |
| DUEY RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1949 | 3,600 |
| GARCIA CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1941 | 3,500 |
| LA MINA CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1981 | 3,500 |
| MAJADA RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1984 | 3,442 |
| ARENAS CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1922 | 3,400 |
| GRANDE DE ARECIBO RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1976 | 3,400 |
| CRUCES RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1952 | 3,400 |
| UNKNOWN CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1999 | 3,300 |
| UNKNOWN CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1999 | 3,300 |
| GUADIANA RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1965 | 3,300 |
| EL CHORRO CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1925 | 3,200 |
| SANTIAGO RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1955 | 3,100 |
| GUAYNABO RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1985 | 3,100 |
| LA MANUELA CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1955 | 3,100 |
| LA MINA CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1961 | 3,100 |
| PATILLAS RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1956 | 3,100 |
| VIVI RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1973 | 3,000 |
| _ | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 2018 | 3,000 |
| CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1955 | 3,000 |
| CANOVANAS RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1953 | 3,000 |
| CANOVANAS RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1953 | 3,000 |
| GUAYNABO RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1983 | 2,950 |
| WATERWAY | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1969 | 2,900 |
| SANTA CATALINA CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1980 | 2,800 |
| GUAMANI RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1925 | 2,800 |
| SANTANA CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1900 | 2,800 |
| CUYON RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1877 | 2,700 |
| CUYON RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1877 | 2,700 |
| CARICOSA CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1921 | 2,600 |
| OROCOVIS RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1927 | 2,600 |
| WATERWAY | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1930 | 2,600 |
| GRANDE DE MANATI RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1978 | 2,600 |
| CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1965 | 2,600 |
| GRANDE DE MAUNABO RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1965 | 2,600 |
| ESPINO CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1927 | 2,500 |
| GUARACANAL CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1982 | 2,480 |
| CAMUY RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1927 | 2,400 |
| CRIMINALES RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1927 | 2,400 |
| EL SALTO CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1918 | 2,200 |
| CULEBRINAS RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1994 | 2,200 |
| DUEY RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1993 | 2,200 |
| TURABO RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1950 | 2,200 |
| DUEY RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1988 | 2,200 |
| WATERWAY | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1984 | 2,200 |
| GUANAJIBO RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1989 | 2,200 |
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.