US Bridges

29th Road over Smoky Hill River

Fair

Ellsworth County, Kansas · 0.5E 4.6N of Langley · Structure no. 000270753504908

Built
1973
52 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Prestressed Concrete
Length
155 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
100
2020 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

29th Road over Smoky Hill River is a prestressed concrete tee beam carrying 29th Road over Smoky Hill River in Ellsworth County, Kansas. It was built in 1973, so it is 52 years old, younger 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 100 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 120 by 2044. The structure is 155 ft (47.2 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 0.6 mi (1 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
Carries29th Road
CrossesSmoky Hill River
Location0.5E 4.6N of Langley
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyEllsworth County
StateKansas
Coordinates38.61106, -97.9527
Functional classRural Minor 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.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMarch 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating36 US tons
Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans3
Design loadH 15
Structure length155 ft (47.2 m)
Longest span70 ft (21.3 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.5 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deck100 ft (30.5 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic100 (2020)
Projected traffic120 by 2044
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed0.6 mi (1 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was 29th Road over Smoky Hill River built?

It was built in 1973, making it 52 years old in 2025.

What condition is 29th 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 March 2024.

How much traffic does 29th Road over Smoky Hill River carry?

About 100 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is 29th Road over Smoky Hill River?

The structure is 155 ft (47.2 m) long with a longest span of 70 ft (21.3 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns 29th Road over Smoky Hill River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.