US Bridges

River Road over Trib. to Medicine River

Fair

Barber County, Kansas · 5.0W 3.5N of Sun City · Structure no. 000000000040150

Built
1948
77 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Culvert
Concrete
Length
29 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
70
2021 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

River Road over Trib. to Medicine River is a concrete culvert carrying River Road over Trib. to Medicine River in Barber County, Kansas. It was built in 1948, so it is 77 years old, older than the Kansas average of 52.8 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 70 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 85 by 2043. The structure is 29 ft (8.7 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 16.8 mi (27 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesRiver Road
CrossesTrib. to Medicine River
Location5.0W 3.5N of Sun City
RouteCounty Highway 32
CountyBarber County
StateKansas
Coordinates37.43051, -99.01197
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
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Culvert6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating40.8 US tons
Inventory rating27 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans2
Design loadH 15
Structure length29 ft (8.7 m)
Longest span14 ft (4.2 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.3 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deck100 ft (30.5 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic70 (2021)
Projected traffic85 by 2043
Trucks10%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed16.8 mi (27 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was River Road over Trib. to Medicine River built?

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

What condition is River Road over Trib. to Medicine River 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 October 2023.

How much traffic does River Road over Trib. to Medicine River carry?

About 70 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is River Road over Trib. to Medicine River?

The structure is 29 ft (8.7 m) long with a longest span of 14 ft (4.2 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns River Road over Trib. to Medicine River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.