US Bridges

SH 5 Baxter over Hicks Creek

Fair

Baxter County, Arkansas · .81 MI E of JCT US 62B · Structure no. 000000000001030

Built
1929
96 years old, rebuilt 1958
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
62 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
7,600
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

SH 5 Baxter over Hicks Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying SH 5 Baxter over Hicks Creek in Baxter County, Arkansas. It was built in 1929 and reconstructed in 1958, so it is 96 years old, older than the Arkansas average of 45.1 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in fair condition with a lowest component rating of 5 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

It carries about 7,600 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 10,200 by 2038. The structure is 62 ft (18.9 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSH 5 Baxter
CrossesHicks Creek
Location.81 MI E of JCT US 62B
RouteState Highway 5
CountyBaxter County
StateArkansas
Coordinates36.33276, -92.37058
Functional classUrban Other Principal Arterial

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionFebruary 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating45 US tons
Inventory rating27 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadH 15
Structure length62 ft (18.9 m)
Longest span30 ft (9.1 m)
Deck width30 ft (9.1 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic7,600 (2022)
Projected traffic10,200 by 2038
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$616,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was SH 5 Baxter over Hicks Creek built?

It was built in 1929, making it 96 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1958.

What condition is SH 5 Baxter over Hicks Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in fair condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. The last reported inspection was in February 2024.

How much traffic does SH 5 Baxter over Hicks Creek carry?

About 7,600 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is SH 5 Baxter over Hicks Creek?

The structure is 62 ft (18.9 m) long with a longest span of 30 ft (9.1 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns SH 5 Baxter over Hicks Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.