US Bridges

State Highway 8 over Merren Creek

Fair

Polk County, Arkansas · 0.6 MI W of Mena W Cl · Structure no. 000000000002241

Built
1951
74 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
51 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
2,300
2018 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

State Highway 8 over Merren Creek is a concrete continuous slab carrying State Highway 8 over Merren Creek in Polk County, Arkansas. It was built in 1951, so it is 74 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 2,300 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,990 by 2028. The structure is 51 ft (15.5 m) long and 27 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 9.9 mi (16 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesState Highway 8
CrossesMerren Creek
Location0.6 MI W of Mena W Cl
RouteState Highway 8
CountyPolk County
StateArkansas
Coordinates34.5881, -94.26919
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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJune 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 alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating39 US tons
Inventory rating24 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadH 15
Structure length51 ft (15.5 m)
Longest span25 ft (7.6 m)
Deck width27 ft (8.1 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,300 (2018)
Projected traffic2,990 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$282,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was State Highway 8 over Merren Creek built?

It was built in 1951, making it 74 years old in 2025.

What condition is State Highway 8 over Merren 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 June 2023.

How much traffic does State Highway 8 over Merren Creek carry?

About 2,300 vehicles per day (2018 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is State Highway 8 over Merren Creek?

The structure is 51 ft (15.5 m) long with a longest span of 25 ft (7.6 m) and a deck 27 ft wide.

Who owns State Highway 8 over Merren Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.