US Bridges

County Road 23 over Buffalo Creek - Polk Co.

Poor

Polk County, Arkansas · 4.0 MI E of US 71 Cove · Structure no. 000000000016129

Built
1940
85 years old, rebuilt 2008
Condition
Poor
inspected October 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
28 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
100
2018 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 23 over Buffalo Creek - Polk Co. is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Road 23 over Buffalo Creek - Polk Co. in Polk County, Arkansas. It was built in 1940 and reconstructed in 2008, so it is 85 years old, older than the Arkansas average of 45.1 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

It carries about 100 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 41 by 2004. The structure is 28 ft (8.5 m) long and 14 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Road 23
CrossesBuffalo Creek - Polk Co.
Location4.0 MI E of US 71 Cove
RouteCounty Highway 23
CountyPolk County
StateArkansas
Coordinates34.43067, -94.3475
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating52 US tons
Inventory rating31 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckWood or timber
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length28 ft (8.5 m)
Longest span14 ft (4.3 m)
Deck width14 ft (4.3 m)
Roadway width14 ft (4.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic100 (2018)
Projected traffic41 by 2004
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty 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$211,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Road 23 over Buffalo Creek - Polk Co. built?

It was built in 1940, making it 85 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2008.

What condition is County Road 23 over Buffalo Creek - Polk Co. in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in October 2023.

How much traffic does County Road 23 over Buffalo Creek - Polk Co. carry?

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

How long is County Road 23 over Buffalo Creek - Polk Co.?

The structure is 28 ft (8.5 m) long with a longest span of 14 ft (4.3 m) and a deck 14 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 23 over Buffalo Creek - Polk Co.?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.