US Bridges

Prairie Bayou Road over Essex Bayou

Good

Arkansas County, Arkansas · Sec 21 T5S R1W · Structure no. 000043670-00118

Built
1992
33 years old
Condition
Good
inspected October 2024
Type
Channel Beam
Concrete
Length
159 ft
7 main spans
Daily traffic
50
2024 count
Owner
Federal
Bureau of Fish and Wildlife

About this bridge

Prairie Bayou Road over Essex Bayou is a concrete channel beam carrying Prairie Bayou Road over Essex Bayou in Arkansas County, Arkansas. It was built in 1992, so it is 33 years old, younger than the Arkansas average of 45.1 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in good condition with a lowest component rating of 7 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 50 vehicles a day, projected to reach 60 by 2044. The structure is 159 ft (48.5 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 98.8 mi (159 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesPrairie Bayou Road
CrossesEssex Bayou
LocationSec 21 T5S R1W
RouteFederal Lands Road 0
CountyArkansas County
StateArkansas
Coordinates34.24917, -91.12
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionOctober 2024
Inspection intervalevery 48 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Operating rating48 US tons
Inventory rating28 US tons

Structure

Structure typeChannel Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckOther
Main spans7
Design loadHS 20
Structure length159 ft (48.5 m)
Longest span30 ft (9.1 m)
Deck width16 ft (4.9 m)
Roadway width14 ft (4.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deck107 ft (32.7 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic50 (2024)
Projected traffic60 by 2044
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed98.8 mi (159 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerBureau of Fish and Wildlife
Maintained byBureau of Fish and Wildlife
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Prairie Bayou Road over Essex Bayou built?

It was built in 1992, making it 33 years old in 2025.

What condition is Prairie Bayou Road over Essex Bayou in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in October 2024.

How much traffic does Prairie Bayou Road over Essex Bayou carry?

About 50 vehicles per day (2024 count).

How long is Prairie Bayou Road over Essex Bayou?

The structure is 159 ft (48.5 m) long with a longest span of 30 ft (9.1 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns Prairie Bayou Road over Essex Bayou?

It is owned by the Bureau of Fish and Wildlife.