US Bridges

State Highway 101 over Norfork Lake

Fair

Baxter County, Arkansas · 9.18 MI So Mo Line · Structure no. 000000000005769

Built
1982
43 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2024
Type
Girder and Floorbeam System
Steel Continuous
Length
2,880 ft
12 main spans
Daily traffic
2,600
2018 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

State Highway 101 over Norfork Lake is a steel continuous girder and floorbeam system carrying State Highway 101 over Norfork Lake in Baxter County, Arkansas. It was built in 1982, so it is 43 years old, younger 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 6 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 2,600 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,055 by 2028. The structure is 2,880 ft (877.8 m) long and 35 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 34.8 mi (56 km).

Location

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CarriesState Highway 101
CrossesNorfork Lake
Location9.18 MI So Mo Line
RouteState Highway 101
CountyBaxter County
StateArkansas
Coordinates36.38175, -92.24936
Functional classRural Major Collector

Condition and inspection

Fair

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

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionDecember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating50 US tons
Inventory rating30 US tons

Structure

Structure typeGirder and Floorbeam System
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans12
Design loadHS 20
Structure length2,880 ft (877.8 m)
Longest span310 ft (94.5 m)
Deck width35 ft (10.7 m)
Roadway width32 ft (9.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,600 (2018)
Projected traffic2,055 by 2028
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed34.8 mi (56 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNavigation control on waterway (bridge permit required)

Frequently asked questions

When was State Highway 101 over Norfork Lake built?

It was built in 1982, making it 43 years old in 2025.

What condition is State Highway 101 over Norfork Lake 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 December 2024.

How much traffic does State Highway 101 over Norfork Lake carry?

About 2,600 vehicles per day (2018 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is State Highway 101 over Norfork Lake?

The structure is 2,880 ft (877.8 m) long with a longest span of 310 ft (94.5 m) and a deck 35 ft wide.

Who owns State Highway 101 over Norfork Lake?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.