US Bridges

Aetna Road over Salt Fork Arkansas River

Fair

Barber County, Kansas · 1.0S of Aetna · Structure no. 000000000040730

Built
1974
51 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
421 ft
10 main spans
Daily traffic
105
2021 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Aetna Road over Salt Fork Arkansas River is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Aetna Road over Salt Fork Arkansas River in Barber County, Kansas. It was built in 1974, so it is 51 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 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 105 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 125 by 2043. The structure is 421 ft (128.3 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 16.2 mi (26 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesAetna Road
CrossesSalt Fork Arkansas River
Location1.0S of Aetna
RouteCounty Highway 1347
CountyBarber County
StateKansas
Coordinates37.07008, -98.96397
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.
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 statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating54.3 US tons
Inventory rating32.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans10
Design loadH 20
Structure length421 ft (128.3 m)
Longest span46 ft (13.9 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.5 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deck100 ft (30.5 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic105 (2021)
Projected traffic125 by 2043
Trucks10%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed16.2 mi (26 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 Aetna Road over Salt Fork Arkansas River built?

It was built in 1974, making it 51 years old in 2025.

What condition is Aetna Road over Salt Fork Arkansas 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 Aetna Road over Salt Fork Arkansas River carry?

About 105 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is Aetna Road over Salt Fork Arkansas River?

The structure is 421 ft (128.3 m) long with a longest span of 46 ft (13.9 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns Aetna Road over Salt Fork Arkansas River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.