US Bridges

SH 8 - Polk Co. over Butcher Knife Creek

Fair

Polk County, Arkansas · 2.74 MI W Montgomery CO · Structure no. 000000000002545

Built
1951
74 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
68 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
742
2018 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

SH 8 - Polk Co. over Butcher Knife Creek is a concrete continuous slab carrying SH 8 - Polk Co. over Butcher Knife 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 742 vehicles a day, roughly 12% of them trucks, projected to reach 872 by 2028. The structure is 68 ft (20.7 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 9.9 mi (16 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSH 8 - Polk Co.
CrossesButcher Knife Creek
Location2.74 MI W Montgomery CO
RouteState Highway 8
CountyPolk County
StateArkansas
Coordinates34.48633, -93.96878
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionNovember 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 geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating35.1 US tons
Inventory rating21.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 15
Structure length68 ft (20.7 m)
Longest span25 ft (7.6 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.6 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic742 (2018)
Projected traffic872 by 2028
Trucks12%
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 8 - Polk Co. over Butcher Knife Creek built?

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

What condition is SH 8 - Polk Co. over Butcher Knife 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 November 2023.

How much traffic does SH 8 - Polk Co. over Butcher Knife Creek carry?

About 742 vehicles per day (2018 count), of which roughly 12% are trucks.

How long is SH 8 - Polk Co. over Butcher Knife Creek?

The structure is 68 ft (20.7 m) long with a longest span of 25 ft (7.6 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns SH 8 - Polk Co. over Butcher Knife Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.