US Bridges

Sun City Road over Medicine River

Fair

Barber County, Kansas · 0.5S of Sun City · Structure no. 000000000040700

Built
1952
73 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
432 ft
9 main spans
Daily traffic
115
2021 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Sun City Road over Medicine River is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Sun City Road over Medicine River in Barber County, Kansas. It was built in 1952, so it is 73 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.

It carries about 115 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 140 by 2043. The structure is 432 ft (131.7 m) long and 26 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 11.8 mi (19 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSun City Road
CrossesMedicine River
Location0.5S of Sun City
RouteCounty Highway 1346
CountyBarber County
StateKansas
Coordinates37.36981, -98.91817
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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
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 inspectionJune 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating35.2 US tons
Inventory rating11.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans9
Design loadH 20
Structure length432 ft (131.7 m)
Longest span50 ft (15.2 m)
Deck width26 ft (8 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deck100 ft (30.5 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic115 (2021)
Projected traffic140 by 2043
Trucks10%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed11.8 mi (19 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 Sun City Road over Medicine River built?

It was built in 1952, making it 73 years old in 2025.

What condition is Sun City Road over 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 June 2024.

How much traffic does Sun City Road over Medicine River carry?

About 115 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is Sun City Road over Medicine River?

The structure is 432 ft (131.7 m) long with a longest span of 50 ft (15.2 m) and a deck 26 ft wide.

Who owns Sun City Road over Medicine River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.