US Bridges

Forest City Road over Bitter Creek

FairPosted for load

Barber County, Kansas · 2.3N 8.3W Medicine Lodge · Structure no. 000040667006701

Built
1947
78 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Wood or Timber
Length
33 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
15
2018 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Forest City Road over Bitter Creek is a wood or timber stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Forest City Road over Bitter Creek in Barber County, Kansas. It was built in 1947, so it is 78 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 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 15 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 20 by 2043. The structure is 33 ft (10.1 m) long and 19 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 198.8 mi (320 km).

Location

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CarriesForest City Road
CrossesBitter Creek
Location2.3N 8.3W Medicine Lodge
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyBarber County
StateKansas
Coordinates37.31058, -98.73111
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
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
ScourUnknown foundation; not evaluated for scour
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 adequacy5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating17.7 US tons
Inventory rating13 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length33 ft (10.1 m)
Longest span18 ft (5.4 m)
Deck width19 ft (5.9 m)
Roadway width19 ft (5.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deck100 ft (30.5 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic15 (2018)
Projected traffic20 by 2043
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed198.8 mi (320 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 Forest City Road over Bitter Creek built?

It was built in 1947, making it 78 years old in 2025.

What condition is Forest City Road over Bitter Creek 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 Bitter Creek carry?

About 15 vehicles per day (2018 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Forest City Road over Bitter Creek?

The structure is 33 ft (10.1 m) long with a longest span of 18 ft (5.4 m) and a deck 19 ft wide.

Who owns Forest City Road over Bitter Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.