US Bridges

SW 21st / SW 70th over Dry Creek

Fair

Butler County, Kansas · 3.1E 0.3N of Andover · Structure no. 000000000080550

Built
1950
75 years old, rebuilt 2003
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2025
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete Continuous
Length
154 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
4,355
2021 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

SW 21st / SW 70th over Dry Creek is a concrete continuous tee beam carrying SW 21st / SW 70th over Dry Creek in Butler County, Kansas. It was built in 1950 and reconstructed in 2003, so it is 75 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 4,355 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 4,037 by 2045. The structure is 154 ft (46.9 m) long and 26 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSW 21st / SW 70th
CrossesDry Creek
Location3.1E 0.3N of Andover
RouteCounty Highway 83
CountyButler County
StateKansas
Coordinates37.72311, -97.07694
Functional classRural Major Collector

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 protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJanuary 2025
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating38.5 US tons
Inventory rating23 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 15
Structure length154 ft (46.9 m)
Longest span63 ft (19.2 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 traffic4,355 (2021)
Projected traffic4,037 by 2045
Trucks10%
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 statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was SW 21st / SW 70th over Dry Creek built?

It was built in 1950, making it 75 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2003.

What condition is SW 21st / SW 70th over Dry 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 January 2025.

How much traffic does SW 21st / SW 70th over Dry Creek carry?

About 4,355 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is SW 21st / SW 70th over Dry Creek?

The structure is 154 ft (46.9 m) long with a longest span of 63 ft (19.2 m) and a deck 26 ft wide.

Who owns SW 21st / SW 70th over Dry Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.