US Bridges

Q Road over Bluff Creek

Poor

Comanche County, Kansas · 3.7S 0.4W of Protection · Structure no. 000170581906920

Built
1948
77 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected December 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
122 ft
6 main spans
Daily traffic
25
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Q Road over Bluff Creek is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Q Road over Bluff Creek in Comanche County, Kansas. It was built in 1948, so it is 77 years old, older than the Kansas average of 52.8 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

It carries about 25 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 30 by 2044. The structure is 122 ft (37.2 m) long and 24 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesQ Road
CrossesBluff Creek
Location3.7S 0.4W of Protection
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyComanche County
StateKansas
Coordinates37.14871, -99.49181
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionDecember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating58.3 US tons
Inventory rating34.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckSteel plate
Main spans6
Design loadUnknown
Structure length122 ft (37.2 m)
Longest span20 ft (6 m)
Deck width24 ft (7.3 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deck100 ft (30.5 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic25 (2022)
Projected traffic30 by 2044
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.2 mi (10 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 Q Road over Bluff Creek built?

It was built in 1948, making it 77 years old in 2025.

What condition is Q Road over Bluff Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in December 2024.

How much traffic does Q Road over Bluff Creek carry?

About 25 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Q Road over Bluff Creek?

The structure is 122 ft (37.2 m) long with a longest span of 20 ft (6 m) and a deck 24 ft wide.

Who owns Q Road over Bluff Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.