US Bridges

River Road over Trib. to Medicine River

Fair

Barber County, Kansas · 2.0W of Medicine Lodge · Structure no. 000000000040390

Built
1979
46 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Culvert
Concrete
Length
43 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
740
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 1979, so it is 46 years old, younger 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 740 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 890 by 2043. The structure is 43 ft (13.2 m) long and 28 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
Location2.0W of Medicine Lodge
RouteCounty Highway 32
CountyBarber County
StateKansas
Coordinates37.29153, -98.62497
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 geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating36 US tons
Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans3
Design loadUnknown
Structure length43 ft (13.2 m)
Longest span14 ft (4.2 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.5 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deck100 ft (30.5 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic740 (2021)
Projected traffic890 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 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 River Road over Trib. to Medicine River built?

It was built in 1979, making it 46 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 740 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

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

The structure is 43 ft (13.2 m) long with a longest span of 14 ft (4.2 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns River Road over Trib. to Medicine River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.