US Bridges

Old Hwy. 7 over Branch

Fair

Pope County, Arkansas · 1.61 M NE CO RD 14 &SH164 · Structure no. 000000000016253

Built
1940
85 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
65 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
309
2018 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Old Hwy. 7 over Branch is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Old Hwy. 7 over Branch in Pope County, Arkansas. It was built in 1940, 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 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 309 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 186 by 2007. The structure is 65 ft (19.8 m) long and 19 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

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CarriesOld Hwy. 7
CrossesBranch
Location1.61 M NE CO RD 14 &SH164
RouteCounty Highway 14
CountyPope County
StateArkansas
Coordinates35.51178, -93.15589
Functional classRural Minor 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.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMay 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 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 geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating45 US tons
Inventory rating27 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length65 ft (19.8 m)
Longest span32 ft (9.8 m)
Deck width19 ft (5.8 m)
Roadway width18 ft (5.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic309 (2018)
Projected traffic186 by 2007
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.2 mi (10 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$264,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Old Hwy. 7 over Branch built?

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

What condition is Old Hwy. 7 over Branch 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 May 2023.

How much traffic does Old Hwy. 7 over Branch carry?

About 309 vehicles per day (2018 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Old Hwy. 7 over Branch?

The structure is 65 ft (19.8 m) long with a longest span of 32 ft (9.8 m) and a deck 19 ft wide.

Who owns Old Hwy. 7 over Branch?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.