US Bridges

US73 US159 HWY over North Fork Wolf River

Fair

Brown County, Kansas · 11.31 MI N Wjct K20 · Structure no. 999907300070111

Built
1965
60 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2023
Type
Culvert
Concrete
Length
33 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
2,619
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

US73 US159 HWY over North Fork Wolf River is a concrete culvert carrying US73 US159 HWY over North Fork Wolf River in Brown County, Kansas. It was built in 1965, so it is 60 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.

It carries about 2,619 vehicles a day, roughly 13% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,726 by 2044. The structure is 33 ft (10.1 m) long and 220 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesUS73 US159 HWY
CrossesNorth Fork Wolf River
Location11.31 MI N Wjct K20
RouteU.S. Route 73
CountyBrown County
StateKansas
Coordinates39.83139, -95.52694
Functional classRural Minor Arterial

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Culvert6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJune 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating110.1 US tons
Inventory rating84.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadH 20
Structure length33 ft (10.1 m)
Longest span16 ft (4.9 m)
Deck width220 ft (67.1 m)
Roadway width44 ft (13.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,619 (2023)
Projected traffic2,726 by 2044
Trucks13%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState 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 US73 US159 HWY over North Fork Wolf River built?

It was built in 1965, making it 60 years old in 2025.

What condition is US73 US159 HWY over North Fork Wolf River 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 June 2023.

How much traffic does US73 US159 HWY over North Fork Wolf River carry?

About 2,619 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 13% are trucks.

How long is US73 US159 HWY over North Fork Wolf River?

The structure is 33 ft (10.1 m) long with a longest span of 16 ft (4.9 m) and a deck 220 ft wide.

Who owns US73 US159 HWY over North Fork Wolf River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.