US Bridges

SH 12 Benton over Beaver Lake

Fair

Benton County, Arkansas · 6.19 MI E JCT US 62B · Structure no. 000000000003636

Built
1963
62 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Girder and Floorbeam System
Steel Continuous
Length
1,515 ft
12 main spans
Daily traffic
4,900
2018 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

SH 12 Benton over Beaver Lake is a steel continuous girder and floorbeam system carrying SH 12 Benton over Beaver Lake in Benton County, Arkansas. It was built in 1963, so it is 62 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 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 4,900 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 6,769 by 2027. The structure is 1,515 ft (461.8 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 19.3 mi (31 km).

Location

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CarriesSH 12 Benton
CrossesBeaver Lake
Location6.19 MI E JCT US 62B
RouteState Highway 12
CountyBenton County
StateArkansas
Coordinates36.33203, -94.01994
Functional classUrban 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.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection9 ExcellentNo problems noted.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
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 alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating36 US tons
Inventory rating21.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeGirder and Floorbeam System
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans12
Design loadH 15
Structure length1,515 ft (461.8 m)
Longest span130 ft (39.6 m)
Deck width30 ft (9 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic4,900 (2018)
Projected traffic6,769 by 2027
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed19.3 mi (31 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusEligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$2.7 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was SH 12 Benton over Beaver Lake built?

It was built in 1963, making it 62 years old in 2025.

What condition is SH 12 Benton over Beaver 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 October 2023.

How much traffic does SH 12 Benton over Beaver Lake carry?

About 4,900 vehicles per day (2018 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is SH 12 Benton over Beaver Lake?

The structure is 1,515 ft (461.8 m) long with a longest span of 130 ft (39.6 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns SH 12 Benton over Beaver Lake?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.