US Bridges

Madison Avenue over Walnut River

Fair

Cowley County, Kansas · Madison Ave E of US166 · Structure no. 401100180000012

Built
1955
70 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2024
Type
Girder and Floorbeam System
Steel Continuous
Length
824 ft
7 main spans
Daily traffic
2,850
2022 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Madison Avenue over Walnut River is a steel continuous girder and floorbeam system carrying Madison Avenue over Walnut River in Cowley County, Kansas. It was built in 1955, so it is 70 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 2,850 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 4,234 by 2042. The structure is 824 ft (251.1 m) long and 33 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesMadison Avenue
CrossesWalnut River
LocationMadison Ave E of US166
RouteCity Street 0
CountyCowley County
StateKansas
Coordinates37.05629, -97.02417
Functional classUrban 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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
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 inspectionSeptember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating36 US tons
Inventory rating21.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeGirder and Floorbeam System
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans7
Design loadHS 20
Structure length824 ft (251.1 m)
Longest span132 ft (40.2 m)
Deck width33 ft (10.2 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deck100 ft (30.5 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,850 (2022)
Projected traffic4,234 by 2042
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 km)
TollToll bridge
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Maintained byCity or Municipal 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 Madison Avenue over Walnut River built?

It was built in 1955, making it 70 years old in 2025.

What condition is Madison Avenue over 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 September 2024.

How much traffic does Madison Avenue over Walnut River carry?

About 2,850 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is Madison Avenue over Walnut River?

The structure is 824 ft (251.1 m) long with a longest span of 132 ft (40.2 m) and a deck 33 ft wide.

Who owns Madison Avenue over Walnut River?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.