US Bridges

H Lane over Prairie Dog Creek

PoorPosted for load

Decatur County, Kansas · 0.9S 2.3W of Jennings · Structure no. 000200499603460

Built
1937
88 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected October 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
24 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
15
2020 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

H Lane over Prairie Dog Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying H Lane over Prairie Dog Creek in Decatur County, Kansas. It was built in 1937, so it is 88 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 15 vehicles a day, projected to reach 20 by 2043. The structure is 24 ft (7.3 m) long and 19 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

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CarriesH Lane
CrossesPrairie Dog Creek
Location0.9S 2.3W of Jennings
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyDecatur County
StateKansas
Coordinates39.66857, -100.33792
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
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 adequacy3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating43.8 US tons
Inventory rating26.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length24 ft (7.3 m)
Longest span23 ft (7 m)
Deck width19 ft (5.9 m)
Roadway width18 ft (5.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deck100 ft (30.5 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic15 (2020)
Projected traffic20 by 2043
Trucks0%
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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$300,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was H Lane over Prairie Dog Creek built?

It was built in 1937, making it 88 years old in 2025.

What condition is H Lane over Prairie Dog 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 October 2023.

How much traffic does H Lane over Prairie Dog Creek carry?

About 15 vehicles per day (2020 count).

How long is H Lane over Prairie Dog Creek?

The structure is 24 ft (7.3 m) long with a longest span of 23 ft (7 m) and a deck 19 ft wide.

Who owns H Lane over Prairie Dog Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.