US Bridges

US 79B S-4BLM 3.79 over Palmer Bayou

Fair

Ouachita County, Arkansas · 1.55 MI SW JCT US79 SH4 · Structure no. 000000000001072

Built
1929
96 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
1,086 ft
31 main spans
Daily traffic
2,300
2018 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

US 79B S-4BLM 3.79 over Palmer Bayou is a concrete tee beam carrying US 79B S-4BLM 3.79 over Palmer Bayou in Ouachita County, Arkansas. It was built in 1929, 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 2,300 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,500 by 2038. The structure is 1,086 ft (331 m) long and 23 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

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CarriesUS 79B S-4BLM 3.79
CrossesPalmer Bayou
Location1.55 MI SW JCT US79 SH4
RouteU.S. Route 79
CountyOuachita County
StateArkansas
Coordinates33.60834, -92.79949
Functional classRural Minor 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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionOctober 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 geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating60 US tons
Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans31
Design loadH 15
Structure length1,086 ft (331 m)
Longest span35 ft (10.7 m)
Deck width23 ft (7 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,300 (2018)
Projected traffic2,500 by 2038
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesRelief for waterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$2.5 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was US 79B S-4BLM 3.79 over Palmer Bayou built?

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

What condition is US 79B S-4BLM 3.79 over Palmer Bayou 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 2024.

How much traffic does US 79B S-4BLM 3.79 over Palmer Bayou carry?

About 2,300 vehicles per day (2018 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is US 79B S-4BLM 3.79 over Palmer Bayou?

The structure is 1,086 ft (331 m) long with a longest span of 35 ft (10.7 m) and a deck 23 ft wide.

Who owns US 79B S-4BLM 3.79 over Palmer Bayou?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.