US Bridges

Road 9 over Trib. to Bull Creek

Poor

Elk County, Kansas · 0.2S 6.5W of Howard · Structure no. 000000000250370

Built
1955
70 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected August 2024
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
30 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
40
2019 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Road 9 over Trib. to Bull Creek is a concrete slab carrying Road 9 over Trib. to Bull Creek in Elk 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 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.

It carries about 40 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 50 by 2044. The structure is 30 ft (9.1 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesRoad 9
CrossesTrib. to Bull Creek
Location0.2S 6.5W of Howard
RouteCounty Highway 804
CountyElk County
StateKansas
Coordinates37.46706, -96.38034
Functional classRural Major Collector

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 inspectionAugust 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating36 US tons
Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length30 ft (9.1 m)
Longest span14 ft (4.2 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.6 m)
Roadway width26 ft (8 m)
Vertical clearance over deck100 ft (30.5 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic40 (2019)
Projected traffic50 by 2044
Trucks5%
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 statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$430,000 (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Road 9 over Trib. to Bull Creek built?

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

What condition is Road 9 over Trib. to Bull 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 August 2024.

How much traffic does Road 9 over Trib. to Bull Creek carry?

About 40 vehicles per day (2019 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Road 9 over Trib. to Bull Creek?

The structure is 30 ft (9.1 m) long with a longest span of 14 ft (4.2 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns Road 9 over Trib. to Bull Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.