US Bridges

SH 74 Madison CO over Wharton Creek

Fair

Madison County, Arkansas · 6.5 MI E JCT SH 23 & 74 · Structure no. 000000000005511

Built
1974
51 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
90 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
540
2018 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

SH 74 Madison CO over Wharton Creek is a concrete slab carrying SH 74 Madison CO over Wharton Creek in Madison County, Arkansas. It was built in 1974, so it is 51 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 540 vehicles a day, roughly 4% of them trucks, projected to reach 940 by 2027. The structure is 90 ft (27.4 m) long and 29 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 9.9 mi (16 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSH 74 Madison CO
CrossesWharton Creek
Location6.5 MI E JCT SH 23 & 74
RouteState Highway 74
CountyMadison County
StateArkansas
Coordinates36.02932, -93.6039
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionDecember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating55 US tons
Inventory rating33 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 20
Structure length90 ft (27.4 m)
Longest span30 ft (9.1 m)
Deck width29 ft (8.8 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic540 (2018)
Projected traffic940 by 2027
Trucks4%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed9.9 mi (16 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState 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 SH 74 Madison CO over Wharton Creek built?

It was built in 1974, making it 51 years old in 2025.

What condition is SH 74 Madison CO over Wharton 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 December 2023.

How much traffic does SH 74 Madison CO over Wharton Creek carry?

About 540 vehicles per day (2018 count), of which roughly 4% are trucks.

How long is SH 74 Madison CO over Wharton Creek?

The structure is 90 ft (27.4 m) long with a longest span of 30 ft (9.1 m) and a deck 29 ft wide.

Who owns SH 74 Madison CO over Wharton Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.