US Bridges

Bluestem Road over Trib. Little Sandy Ck.

FairPosted for load

Barber County, Kansas · 2.6S of Sharon · Structure no. 000040701006840

Built
1962
63 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Wood or Timber
Length
32 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
25
2018 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Bluestem Road over Trib. Little Sandy Ck. is a wood or timber stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Bluestem Road over Trib. Little Sandy Ck. in Barber County, Kansas. It was built in 1962, so it is 63 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 25 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 30 by 2043. The structure is 32 ft (9.8 m) long and 20 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesBluestem Road
CrossesTrib. Little Sandy Ck.
Location2.6S of Sharon
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyBarber County
StateKansas
Coordinates37.21039, -98.42153
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
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
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 alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating15.8 US tons
Inventory rating11.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length32 ft (9.8 m)
Longest span15 ft (4.6 m)
Deck width20 ft (6 m)
Roadway width19 ft (5.9 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 statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Bluestem Road over Trib. Little Sandy Ck. built?

It was built in 1962, making it 63 years old in 2025.

What condition is Bluestem Road over Trib. Little Sandy Ck. 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 Bluestem Road over Trib. Little Sandy Ck. carry?

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

How long is Bluestem Road over Trib. Little Sandy Ck.?

The structure is 32 ft (9.8 m) long with a longest span of 15 ft (4.6 m) and a deck 20 ft wide.

Who owns Bluestem Road over Trib. Little Sandy Ck.?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.