US Bridges

16th Road over Smoky Hill River

Fair

Ellsworth County, Kansas · 0.4S 2.2W of Kanopolis · Structure no. 000000000270410

Built
1940
85 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2024
Type
Girder and Floorbeam System
Steel Continuous
Length
471 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
65
2020 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

16th Road over Smoky Hill River is a steel continuous girder and floorbeam system carrying 16th Road over Smoky Hill River in Ellsworth County, Kansas. It was built in 1940, so it is 85 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.

It carries about 65 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 80 by 2044. The structure is 471 ft (143.5 m) long and 25 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
Carries16th Road
CrossesSmoky Hill River
Location0.4S 2.2W of Kanopolis
RouteCounty Highway 692
CountyEllsworth County
StateKansas
Coordinates38.7055, -98.19754
Functional classRural Major Collector

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJune 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourUnknown foundation; not evaluated for scour
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating40 US tons
Inventory rating22 US tons

Structure

Structure typeGirder and Floorbeam System
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadUnknown
Structure length471 ft (143.5 m)
Longest span126 ft (38.4 m)
Deck width25 ft (7.7 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deck100 ft (30.5 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic65 (2020)
Projected traffic80 by 2044
Trucks10%
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 statusPossibly eligible for the National Register; requires further investigation
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was 16th Road over Smoky Hill River built?

It was built in 1940, making it 85 years old in 2025.

What condition is 16th Road over Smoky Hill River 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 June 2024.

How much traffic does 16th Road over Smoky Hill River carry?

About 65 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is 16th Road over Smoky Hill River?

The structure is 471 ft (143.5 m) long with a longest span of 126 ft (38.4 m) and a deck 25 ft wide.

Who owns 16th Road over Smoky Hill River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.