US Bridges

NW 50th over Branch of Whitewater Ck.

Fair

Butler County, Kansas · 0.5E 4.5S of Whitewater · Structure no. 000080841905900

Built
1920
105 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2025
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
23 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
55
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

NW 50th over Branch of Whitewater Ck. is a concrete slab carrying NW 50th over Branch of Whitewater Ck. in Butler County, Kansas. It was built in 1920, so it is 105 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 55 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 55 by 2045. The structure is 23 ft (6.9 m) long and 22 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesNW 50th
CrossesBranch of Whitewater Ck.
Location0.5E 4.5S of Whitewater
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyButler County
StateKansas
Coordinates37.89813, -97.13825
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionFebruary 2025
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating50.5 US tons
Inventory rating30.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length23 ft (6.9 m)
Longest span21 ft (6.4 m)
Deck width22 ft (6.6 m)
Roadway width19 ft (5.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deck100 ft (30.5 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic55 (—)
Projected traffic55 by 2045
Trucks2%
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 statusPossibly eligible for the National Register; requires further investigation
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was NW 50th over Branch of Whitewater Ck. built?

It was built in 1920, making it 105 years old in 2025.

What condition is NW 50th over Branch of Whitewater Ck. 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 February 2025.

How much traffic does NW 50th over Branch of Whitewater Ck. carry?

About 55 vehicles per day (latest count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is NW 50th over Branch of Whitewater Ck.?

The structure is 23 ft (6.9 m) long with a longest span of 21 ft (6.4 m) and a deck 22 ft wide.

Who owns NW 50th over Branch of Whitewater Ck.?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.