US Bridges

Rattlesnake Road over Little Mule Creek

Fair

Barber County, Kansas · 4.8W 2.4N of Kiowa · Structure no. 000040683807060

Built
1984
41 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
79 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
25
2018 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Rattlesnake Road over Little Mule Creek is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Rattlesnake Road over Little Mule Creek in Barber County, Kansas. It was built in 1984, so it is 41 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.

It carries about 25 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 30 by 2043. The structure is 79 ft (24.1 m) long and 24 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesRattlesnake Road
CrossesLittle Mule Creek
Location4.8W 2.4N of Kiowa
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyBarber County
StateKansas
Coordinates37.05046, -98.57264
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.
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 statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
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 rating92.2 US tons
Inventory rating55.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadUnknown
Structure length79 ft (24.1 m)
Longest span30 ft (9.1 m)
Deck width24 ft (7.3 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deck100 ft (30.5 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic25 (2018)
Projected traffic30 by 2043
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 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 Rattlesnake Road over Little Mule Creek built?

It was built in 1984, making it 41 years old in 2025.

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

About 25 vehicles per day (2018 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Rattlesnake Road over Little Mule Creek?

The structure is 79 ft (24.1 m) long with a longest span of 30 ft (9.1 m) and a deck 24 ft wide.

Who owns Rattlesnake Road over Little Mule Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.