US Bridges

Cole Avenue over Sappa Creek Tributary

Fair

Decatur County, Kansas · Cole St. in Oberlin · Structure no. 521000200000477

Built
1979
46 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2024
Type
Culvert
Steel
Length
39 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
180
2020 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Cole Avenue over Sappa Creek Tributary is a steel culvert carrying Cole Avenue over Sappa Creek Tributary in Decatur County, Kansas. It was built in 1979, so it is 46 years old, younger 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 180 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 210 by 2044. The structure is 39 ft (11.9 m) long and 29 ft wide.

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCole Avenue
CrossesSappa Creek Tributary
LocationCole St. in Oberlin
RouteCity Street 0
CountyDecatur County
StateKansas
Coordinates39.81719, -100.53576
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
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Culvert6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionOctober 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating19.4 US tons
Inventory rating11.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialSteel
DeckNot applicable
Main spans4
Design loadH 20
Structure length39 ft (11.9 m)
Longest span8 ft (2.4 m)
Deck width29 ft (8.8 m)
Roadway width27 ft (8.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deck100 ft (30.5 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic180 (2020)
Projected traffic210 by 2044
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed—
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Maintained byCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Historic statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$84,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Cole Avenue over Sappa Creek Tributary built?

It was built in 1979, making it 46 years old in 2025.

What condition is Cole Avenue over Sappa Creek Tributary 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 October 2024.

How much traffic does Cole Avenue over Sappa Creek Tributary carry?

About 180 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Cole Avenue over Sappa Creek Tributary?

The structure is 39 ft (11.9 m) long with a longest span of 8 ft (2.4 m) and a deck 29 ft wide.

Who owns Cole Avenue over Sappa Creek Tributary?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.