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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TURABO RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1973 | 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 |
| INGENIO RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1945 | 2,100 |
| CUESTA PASTO CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1921 | 2,000 |
| BAUTA RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1955 | 2,000 |
| WATERWAY | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1973 | 2,000 |
| GUAYANES RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1988 | 2,000 |
| GUAYNABO RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1950 | 2,000 |
| WATERWAY | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1973 | 2,000 |
| LIMONES RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1972 | 2,000 |
| YUCA RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1956 | 2,000 |
| Inabon River | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1980 | 1,900 |
| BOTIJAS RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1924 | 1,900 |
| GUAMANI RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1891 | 1,800 |
| PRIETO RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1940 | 1,800 |
| HONDA CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1939 | 1,800 |
| PASTILLO RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1948 | 1,700 |
| SOLLER CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1957 | 1,700 |
| BAUTA RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1940 | 1,600 |
| EL CHORRO CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1940 | 1,600 |
| CUBUY RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1957 | 1,600 |
| JUAN MARTIN RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1950 | 1,600 |
| TANANA RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1970 | 1,501 |
| NARANJITO CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1920 | 1,500 |
| GUAYANES RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1997 | 1,500 |
| USABON RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1908 | 1,400 |
| JOBA CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1939 | 1,400 |
| GRANDE CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1934 | 1,400 |
| HUMACAO RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1952 | 1,400 |
| GRANDE DE MOROVIS CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1952 | 1,400 |
| GUAYABO CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1955 | 1,400 |
| HUMACAO RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1969 | 1,400 |
| EMAJAGUA RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1964 | 1,400 |
| EMAJAGUA RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1950 | 1,400 |
| EMAJAGUA RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1973 | 1,400 |
| EMAJAGUA RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1950 | 1,400 |
| FARALLON RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1975 | 1,400 |
| SANTO DOMINGO CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1950 | 1,300 |
| LA VENTA RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1949 | 1,200 |
| FRANQUEZ CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1950 | 1,200 |
| HICOTEA CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1940 | 1,200 |
| WATERWAY | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1975 | 1,100 |
| CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1935 | 1,100 |
| UNNAMED CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1999 | 1,030 |
| DEPRESSION | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1922 | 1,000 |
| EL SALTO CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1939 | 1,000 |
| CAIMITO RIVER | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1948 | 1,000 |
| GRANDE CREEK | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1965 | 1,000 |
| Piñas Creek | Puerto Rico | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1969 | 1,000 |
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.