US Bridges

River Road over Trib. to Medicine River

FairPosted for load

Barber County, Kansas · 3.5N 7.0W Medicine Lodge · Structure no. 000000000040350

Built
1954
71 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
68 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
450
2021 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

River Road over Trib. to Medicine River is a concrete continuous slab carrying River Road over Trib. to Medicine River in Barber County, Kansas. It was built in 1954, so it is 71 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 5 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 450 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 540 by 2043. The structure is 68 ft (20.7 m) long and 27 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesRiver Road
CrossesTrib. to Medicine River
Location3.5N 7.0W Medicine Lodge
RouteCounty Highway 32
CountyBarber County
StateKansas
Coordinates37.32609, -98.70589
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating22.6 US tons
Inventory rating13.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 15
Structure length68 ft (20.7 m)
Longest span25 ft (7.5 m)
Deck width27 ft (8.2 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deck100 ft (30.5 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic450 (2021)
Projected traffic540 by 2043
Trucks10%
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 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 1954, making it 71 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 450 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

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

The structure is 68 ft (20.7 m) long with a longest span of 25 ft (7.5 m) and a deck 27 ft wide.

Who owns River Road over Trib. to Medicine River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.