US Bridges

W Road over Trib to Sheele Creek

FairPosted for load

Comanche County, Kansas · 3.0S 3.7E of Buttermilk · Structure no. 000000000170060

Built
1940
85 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2024
Type
Culvert
Concrete
Length
32 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
55
2021 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

W Road over Trib to Sheele Creek is a concrete culvert carrying W Road over Trib to Sheele Creek in Comanche County, Kansas. It was built in 1940, so it is 85 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 55 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 120 by 2042. The structure is 32 ft (9.7 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesW Road
CrossesTrib to Sheele Creek
Location3.0S 3.7E of Buttermilk
RouteCounty Highway 30
CountyComanche County
StateKansas
Coordinates37.06246, -99.25872
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
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Culvert6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionDecember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating11 US tons
Inventory rating11 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans3
Design loadUnknown
Structure length32 ft (9.7 m)
Longest span10 ft (3 m)
Deck width30 ft (9.1 m)
Roadway width29 ft (8.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deck100 ft (30.5 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic55 (2021)
Projected traffic120 by 2042
Trucks10%
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

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 W Road over Trib to Sheele Creek built?

It was built in 1940, making it 85 years old in 2025.

What condition is W Road over Trib to Sheele 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 December 2024.

How much traffic does W Road over Trib to Sheele Creek carry?

About 55 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is W Road over Trib to Sheele Creek?

The structure is 32 ft (9.7 m) long with a longest span of 10 ft (3 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns W Road over Trib to Sheele Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.