US Bridges

SH 46 over Snake River;ken Curtis

Fair

Twin Falls County, Idaho · 4.5 N. Buhl · Structure no. 000000000019355

Built
1968
57 years old, rebuilt 2015
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
201 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
4,700
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

SH 46 over Snake River;ken Curtis is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying SH 46 over Snake River;ken Curtis in Twin Falls County, Idaho. It was built in 1968 and reconstructed in 2015, so it is 57 years old, older than the Idaho average of 45.3 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 4,700 vehicles a day, roughly 14% of them trucks, projected to reach 7,050 by 2042. The structure is 201 ft (61.3 m) long and 33 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 24.2 mi (39 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSH 46
CrossesSnake River;ken Curtis
Location4.5 N. Buhl
RouteState Highway 46
CountyTwin Falls County
StateIdaho
Coordinates42.67067, -114.76008
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 protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionAugust 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating48 US tons
Inventory rating29 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1 (+2 approach)
Design loadHS 20
Structure length201 ft (61.3 m)
Longest span109 ft (33.2 m)
Deck width33 ft (10.1 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic4,700 (2023)
Projected traffic7,050 by 2042
Trucks14%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed24.2 mi (39 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$2.6 million (2023 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was SH 46 over Snake River;ken Curtis built?

It was built in 1968, making it 57 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2015.

What condition is SH 46 over Snake River;ken Curtis 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 August 2023.

How much traffic does SH 46 over Snake River;ken Curtis carry?

About 4,700 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 14% are trucks.

How long is SH 46 over Snake River;ken Curtis?

The structure is 201 ft (61.3 m) long with a longest span of 109 ft (33.2 m) and a deck 33 ft wide.

Who owns SH 46 over Snake River;ken Curtis?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.