US Bridges

Old HWY 40 over Cow Creek

Good

Ellsworth County, Kansas · 0.3W 0.8N of Black Wolf · Structure no. 000000000270620

Built
2002
23 years old
Condition
Good
inspected March 2024
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
295 ft
5 main spans
Daily traffic
655
2020 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Old HWY 40 over Cow Creek is a concrete continuous slab carrying Old HWY 40 over Cow Creek in Ellsworth County, Kansas. It was built in 2002, so it is 23 years old, younger than the Kansas average of 52.8 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in good condition with a lowest component rating of 7 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 655 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 785 by 2044. The structure is 295 ft (90 m) long and 32 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

CarriesOld HWY 40
CrossesCow Creek
Location0.3W 0.8N of Black Wolf
RouteCounty Highway 2020
StateKansas
Coordinates38.76892, -98.36772
Functional classRural Major Collector

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionMarch 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating77.5 US tons
Inventory rating46 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans5
Design loadUnknown
Structure length295 ft (90 m)
Longest span65 ft (19.9 m)
Deck width32 ft (9.8 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deck100 ft (30.5 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic655 (2020)
Projected traffic785 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 statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Old HWY 40 over Cow Creek built?

It was built in 2002, making it 23 years old in 2025.

What condition is Old HWY 40 over Cow Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in March 2024.

How much traffic does Old HWY 40 over Cow Creek carry?

About 655 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is Old HWY 40 over Cow Creek?

The structure is 295 ft (90 m) long with a longest span of 65 ft (19.9 m) and a deck 32 ft wide.

Who owns Old HWY 40 over Cow Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.