US Bridges

Chelsea Road over E Branch Walnut River

Fair

Butler County, Kansas · 5.6N 4.4E El Dorado · Structure no. 000000000081230

Built
1981
44 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2025
Type
Tee Beam
Prestressed Concrete Continuous
Length
192 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
40
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Chelsea Road over E Branch Walnut River is a prestressed concrete continuous tee beam carrying Chelsea Road over E Branch Walnut River in Butler County, Kansas. It was built in 1981, so it is 44 years old, younger 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 40 vehicles a day, roughly 4% of them trucks, projected to reach 100 by 2045. The structure is 192 ft (58.5 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesChelsea Road
CrossesE Branch Walnut River
Location5.6N 4.4E El Dorado
RouteCounty Highway 862
CountyButler County
StateKansas
Coordinates37.9285, -96.77173
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.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionJanuary 2025
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 geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating42.5 US tons
Inventory rating24.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialPrestressed Concrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 20
Structure length192 ft (58.5 m)
Longest span64 ft (19.5 m)
Deck width30 ft (9.1 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deck100 ft (30.5 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic40 (—)
Projected traffic100 by 2045
Trucks4%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed5 mi (8 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 Chelsea Road over E Branch Walnut River built?

It was built in 1981, making it 44 years old in 2025.

What condition is Chelsea Road over E Branch Walnut 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 January 2025.

How much traffic does Chelsea Road over E Branch Walnut River carry?

About 40 vehicles per day (latest count), of which roughly 4% are trucks.

How long is Chelsea Road over E Branch Walnut River?

The structure is 192 ft (58.5 m) long with a longest span of 64 ft (19.5 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns Chelsea Road over E Branch Walnut River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.