US Bridges

Rock over Rock Creek

Poor

Elk County, Kansas · 6.5N 4.5W of Howard · Structure no. 000000000250430

Built
1930
95 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected August 2024
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
23 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
75
2019 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Rock over Rock Creek is a concrete continuous slab carrying Rock over Rock Creek in Elk County, Kansas. It was built in 1930, so it is 95 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 75 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 90 by 2044. The structure is 23 ft (7 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesRock
CrossesRock Creek
Location6.5N 4.5W of Howard
RouteCounty Highway 805
CountyElk County
StateKansas
Coordinates37.56297, -96.3451
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
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 geometry7: Better than 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 Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length23 ft (7 m)
Longest span11 ft (3.3 m)
Deck width30 ft (9.1 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deck100 ft (30.5 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic75 (2019)
Projected traffic90 by 2044
Trucks10%
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 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 Rock over Rock Creek built?

It was built in 1930, making it 95 years old in 2025.

What condition is Rock over Rock 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 Rock over Rock Creek carry?

About 75 vehicles per day (2019 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is Rock over Rock Creek?

The structure is 23 ft (7 m) long with a longest span of 11 ft (3.3 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns Rock over Rock Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.