US Bridges

15 Road over Trib. Sheele Creek

FairPosted for load

Comanche County, Kansas · 2.0E 5.4S of Buttermilk · Structure no. 000170605007086

Built
1930
95 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
28 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
25
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

15 Road over Trib. Sheele Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying 15 Road over Trib. Sheele Creek in Comanche County, Kansas. It was built in 1930, so it is 95 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 25 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 30 by 2044. The structure is 28 ft (8.5 m) long and 20 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 16.8 mi (27 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
Carries15 Road
CrossesTrib. Sheele Creek
Location2.0E 5.4S of Buttermilk
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyComanche County
StateKansas
Coordinates37.02194, -99.28876
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 protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionDecember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
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 rating12 US tons
Inventory rating12 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length28 ft (8.5 m)
Longest span26 ft (7.9 m)
Deck width20 ft (6.1 m)
Roadway width19 ft (5.7 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 closed16.8 mi (27 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 15 Road over Trib. Sheele Creek built?

It was built in 1930, making it 95 years old in 2025.

What condition is 15 Road over Trib. 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 15 Road over Trib. Sheele Creek carry?

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

How long is 15 Road over Trib. Sheele Creek?

The structure is 28 ft (8.5 m) long with a longest span of 26 ft (7.9 m) and a deck 20 ft wide.

Who owns 15 Road over Trib. Sheele Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.