US Bridges

State Highway 246 over Faulkner Branch Polk Co.

Fair

Polk County, Arkansas · 13.9 MI E US 71 · Structure no. 0000000000M2525

Built
1948
77 years old, rebuilt 1962
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2025
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
24 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
140
2018 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

State Highway 246 over Faulkner Branch Polk Co. is a concrete slab carrying State Highway 246 over Faulkner Branch Polk Co. in Polk County, Arkansas. It was built in 1948 and reconstructed in 1962, so it is 77 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 140 vehicles a day, roughly 12% of them trucks, projected to reach 87 by 2028. The structure is 24 ft (7.3 m) long and 35 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 14.9 mi (24 km).

Location

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CarriesState Highway 246
CrossesFaulkner Branch Polk Co.
Location13.9 MI E US 71
RouteState Highway 246
CountyPolk County
StateArkansas
Coordinates34.36833, -94.16397
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.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionFebruary 2025
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 geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating28 US tons
Inventory rating17 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadH 15
Structure length24 ft (7.3 m)
Longest span11 ft (3.4 m)
Deck width35 ft (10.7 m)
Roadway width33 ft (10.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic140 (2018)
Projected traffic87 by 2028
Trucks12%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed14.9 mi (24 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 State Highway 246 over Faulkner Branch Polk Co. built?

It was built in 1948, making it 77 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1962.

What condition is State Highway 246 over Faulkner Branch Polk Co. 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 February 2025.

How much traffic does State Highway 246 over Faulkner Branch Polk Co. carry?

About 140 vehicles per day (2018 count), of which roughly 12% are trucks.

How long is State Highway 246 over Faulkner Branch Polk Co.?

The structure is 24 ft (7.3 m) long with a longest span of 11 ft (3.4 m) and a deck 35 ft wide.

Who owns State Highway 246 over Faulkner Branch Polk Co.?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.