US Bridges

Forest City Road over Medicine River

FairPosted for load

Barber County, Kansas · 2.5N 8.3W Medicine Lodge · Structure no. 000040667006689

Built
1992
33 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
201 ft
5 main spans
Daily traffic
20
2018 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Forest City Road over Medicine River is a concrete continuous slab carrying Forest City Road over Medicine River in Barber County, Kansas. It was built in 1992, so it is 33 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 20 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 25 by 2043. The structure is 201 ft (61.3 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 9.9 mi (16 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesForest City Road
CrossesMedicine River
Location2.5N 8.3W Medicine Lodge
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyBarber County
StateKansas
Coordinates37.31272, -98.73119
Functional classRural Local

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.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating44.4 US tons
Inventory rating26.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans5
Design loadHS 20
Structure length201 ft (61.3 m)
Longest span44 ft (13.4 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 traffic20 (2018)
Projected traffic25 by 2043
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed9.9 mi (16 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 Forest City Road over Medicine River built?

It was built in 1992, making it 33 years old in 2025.

What condition is Forest 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 October 2023.

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

About 20 vehicles per day (2018 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Forest City Road over Medicine River?

The structure is 201 ft (61.3 m) long with a longest span of 44 ft (13.4 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns Forest City Road over Medicine River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.