US Bridges

Road U over Rattlesnake Creek

PoorPosted for load

Edwards County, Kansas · 11.0S 1.3E of Belpre · Structure no. 000240629806040

Built
1945
80 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected December 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Wood or Timber
Length
58 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
40
2018 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Road U over Rattlesnake Creek is a wood or timber stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Road U over Rattlesnake Creek in Edwards County, Kansas. It was built in 1945, so it is 80 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 40 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 40 by 2043. The structure is 58 ft (17.7 m) long and 20 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

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CarriesRoad U
CrossesRattlesnake Creek
Location11.0S 1.3E of Belpre
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyEdwards County
StateKansas
Coordinates37.79141, -99.07389
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.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionDecember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourUnknown foundation; not evaluated for scour
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 rating18.5 US tons
Inventory rating13 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckCorrugated steel
Main spans3
Design loadUnknown
Structure length58 ft (17.7 m)
Longest span19 ft (5.7 m)
Deck width20 ft (6.2 m)
Roadway width19 ft (5.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deck100 ft (30.5 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic40 (2018)
Projected traffic40 by 2043
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 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$490,000 (2023 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Road U over Rattlesnake Creek built?

It was built in 1945, making it 80 years old in 2025.

What condition is Road U over Rattlesnake 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 2023.

How much traffic does Road U over Rattlesnake Creek carry?

About 40 vehicles per day (2018 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Road U over Rattlesnake Creek?

The structure is 58 ft (17.7 m) long with a longest span of 19 ft (5.7 m) and a deck 20 ft wide.

Who owns Road U over Rattlesnake Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.