US Bridges

Watalula Road over North Fork -Franklin Co.

Fair

Franklin County, Arkansas · Watalula · Structure no. 000000000013097

Built
1940
85 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
45 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
815
2018 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Watalula Road over North Fork -Franklin Co. is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Watalula Road over North Fork -Franklin Co. in Franklin County, Arkansas. It was built in 1940, so it is 85 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 815 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 880 by 2038. The structure is 45 ft (13.7 m) long and 23 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesWatalula Road
CrossesNorth Fork -Franklin Co.
LocationWatalula
RouteCounty Highway 86
CountyFranklin County
StateArkansas
Coordinates35.57151, -93.82244
Functional classRural Local

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.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionApril 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating50 US tons
Inventory rating30 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadH 15
Structure length45 ft (13.7 m)
Longest span22 ft (6.7 m)
Deck width23 ft (7.1 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic815 (2018)
Projected traffic880 by 2038
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
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 Watalula Road over North Fork -Franklin Co. built?

It was built in 1940, making it 85 years old in 2025.

What condition is Watalula Road over North Fork -Franklin Co. 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 April 2024.

How much traffic does Watalula Road over North Fork -Franklin Co. carry?

About 815 vehicles per day (2018 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Watalula Road over North Fork -Franklin Co.?

The structure is 45 ft (13.7 m) long with a longest span of 22 ft (6.7 m) and a deck 23 ft wide.

Who owns Watalula Road over North Fork -Franklin Co.?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.