US Bridges

SH-242/SEC-1/L8.71 over Cura Creek

Fair

Phillips County, Arkansas · 1.3 MI East JCT 1 & 242 · Structure no. 0000000000M4049

Built
1965
60 years old, rebuilt 1979
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2024
Type
Channel Beam
Concrete
Length
124 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
1,100
2018 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

SH-242/SEC-1/L8.71 over Cura Creek is a concrete channel beam carrying SH-242/SEC-1/L8.71 over Cura Creek in Phillips County, Arkansas. It was built in 1965 and reconstructed in 1979, so it is 60 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 1,100 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,573 by 2028. The structure is 124 ft (37.8 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 9.9 mi (16 km).

Location

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CarriesSH-242/SEC-1/L8.71
CrossesCura Creek
Location1.3 MI East JCT 1 & 242
RouteState Highway 242
CountyPhillips County
StateArkansas
Coordinates34.59871, -90.74409
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.
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 protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionSeptember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 12 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 geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating45 US tons
Inventory rating27 US tons

Structure

Structure typeChannel Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans4
Design loadH 20
Structure length124 ft (37.8 m)
Longest span31 ft (9.4 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.6 m)
Roadway width26 ft (8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,100 (2018)
Projected traffic1,573 by 2028
Trucks1%
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-242/SEC-1/L8.71 over Cura Creek built?

It was built in 1965, making it 60 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1979.

What condition is SH-242/SEC-1/L8.71 over Cura 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 September 2024.

How much traffic does SH-242/SEC-1/L8.71 over Cura Creek carry?

About 1,100 vehicles per day (2018 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is SH-242/SEC-1/L8.71 over Cura Creek?

The structure is 124 ft (37.8 m) long with a longest span of 31 ft (9.4 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns SH-242/SEC-1/L8.71 over Cura Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.