US Bridges

Road 26 over West Painterhood Creek

FairPosted for load

Elk County, Kansas · 1.0S 9.8E of Howard · Structure no. 000250955706520

Built
1964
61 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
42 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
50
2019 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Road 26 over West Painterhood Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Road 26 over West Painterhood Creek in Elk County, Kansas. It was built in 1964, so it is 61 years old, older 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 50 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 60 by 2044. The structure is 42 ft (12.8 m) long and 20 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesRoad 26
CrossesWest Painterhood Creek
Location1.0S 9.8E of Howard
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyElk County
StateKansas
Coordinates37.4476, -96.07509
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionAugust 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Operating rating11.1 US tons
Inventory rating6.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length42 ft (12.8 m)
Longest span41 ft (12.4 m)
Deck width20 ft (6.1 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6 m)
Vertical clearance over deck100 ft (30.5 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic50 (2019)
Projected traffic60 by 2044
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 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$390,000 (2022 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Road 26 over West Painterhood Creek built?

It was built in 1964, making it 61 years old in 2025.

What condition is Road 26 over West Painterhood Creek 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 August 2024.

How much traffic does Road 26 over West Painterhood Creek carry?

About 50 vehicles per day (2019 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Road 26 over West Painterhood Creek?

The structure is 42 ft (12.8 m) long with a longest span of 41 ft (12.4 m) and a deck 20 ft wide.

Who owns Road 26 over West Painterhood Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.