US Bridges

Black Kettle Road over Salty Creek

FairPosted for load

Barber County, Kansas · 1.2N 1.7E of Hazelton · Structure no. 000040707006980

Built
1970
55 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
24 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
35
2018 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Black Kettle Road over Salty Creek is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Black Kettle Road over Salty Creek in Barber County, Kansas. It was built in 1970, so it is 55 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 35 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 40 by 2043. The structure is 24 ft (7.3 m) long and 26 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesBlack Kettle Road
CrossesSalty Creek
Location1.2N 1.7E of Hazelton
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyBarber County
StateKansas
Coordinates37.10886, -98.36592
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.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
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 evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
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 rating21.7 US tons
Inventory rating13 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length24 ft (7.3 m)
Longest span11 ft (3.5 m)
Deck width26 ft (7.9 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deck100 ft (30.5 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic35 (2018)
Projected traffic40 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 Black Kettle Road over Salty Creek built?

It was built in 1970, making it 55 years old in 2025.

What condition is Black Kettle Road over Salty 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 Black Kettle Road over Salty Creek carry?

About 35 vehicles per day (2018 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Black Kettle Road over Salty Creek?

The structure is 24 ft (7.3 m) long with a longest span of 11 ft (3.5 m) and a deck 26 ft wide.

Who owns Black Kettle Road over Salty Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.