US Bridges

Little Mule Road over Little Mule Creek

FairPosted for load

Barber County, Kansas · 7.8N of Hardtner · Structure no. 000040675406947

Built
1971
54 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
60 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
50
2018 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Little Mule Road over Little Mule Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Little Mule Road over Little Mule Creek in Barber County, Kansas. It was built in 1971, so it is 54 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 50 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 60 by 2043. The structure is 60 ft (18.3 m) long and 25 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 2.5 mi (4 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesLittle Mule Road
CrossesLittle Mule Creek
Location7.8N of Hardtner
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyBarber County
StateKansas
Coordinates37.12746, -98.65196
Functional classRural Minor 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.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating14.4 US tons
Inventory rating8.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length60 ft (18.3 m)
Longest span59 ft (18 m)
Deck width25 ft (7.5 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deck100 ft (30.5 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic50 (2018)
Projected traffic60 by 2043
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed2.5 mi (4 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 Little Mule Road over Little Mule Creek built?

It was built in 1971, making it 54 years old in 2025.

What condition is Little Mule Road over Little Mule 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 Little Mule Road over Little Mule Creek carry?

About 50 vehicles per day (2018 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Little Mule Road over Little Mule Creek?

The structure is 60 ft (18.3 m) long with a longest span of 59 ft (18 m) and a deck 25 ft wide.

Who owns Little Mule Road over Little Mule Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.