US Bridges

NW River Valley over E. Br. Whitewater River

Good

Butler County, Kansas · 0.5E 3.5N of Potwin · Structure no. 000000000080270

Built
1971
54 years old, rebuilt 2011
Condition
Good
inspected July 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
145 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
260
2021 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

NW River Valley over E. Br. Whitewater River is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying NW River Valley over E. Br. Whitewater River in Butler County, Kansas. It was built in 1971 and reconstructed in 2011, 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 good condition with a lowest component rating of 8 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 260 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 246 by 2045. The structure is 145 ft (44.2 m) long and 32 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesNW River Valley
CrossesE. Br. Whitewater River
Location0.5E 3.5N of Potwin
RouteCounty Highway 76
CountyButler County
StateKansas
Coordinates37.99216, -97.00612
Functional classRural Major Collector

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJuly 2024
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 adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating40 US tons
Inventory rating23.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadUnknown
Structure length145 ft (44.2 m)
Longest span55 ft (16.7 m)
Deck width32 ft (9.8 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deck100 ft (30.5 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic260 (2021)
Projected traffic246 by 2045
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 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 NW River Valley over E. Br. Whitewater River built?

It was built in 1971, making it 54 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2011.

What condition is NW River Valley over E. Br. Whitewater River in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in July 2024.

How much traffic does NW River Valley over E. Br. Whitewater River carry?

About 260 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is NW River Valley over E. Br. Whitewater River?

The structure is 145 ft (44.2 m) long with a longest span of 55 ft (16.7 m) and a deck 32 ft wide.

Who owns NW River Valley over E. Br. Whitewater River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.