US Bridges

RD 20 over Pawnee River

GoodPosted for load

Ness County, Kansas · 11.0S 4.0E of Ness City · Structure no. 000000000680420

Built
1963
62 years old
Condition
Good
inspected November 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete Continuous
Length
198 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
85
2018 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

RD 20 over Pawnee River is a concrete continuous tee beam carrying RD 20 over Pawnee River in Ness County, Kansas. It was built in 1963, so it is 62 years old, older 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 85 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 100 by 2041. The structure is 198 ft (60.4 m) long and 26 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

CarriesRD 20
CrossesPawnee River
Location11.0S 4.0E of Ness City
RouteCounty Highway 325
StateKansas
Coordinates38.28956, -99.82733
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 protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionNovember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating26.5 US tons
Inventory rating15.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadH 15
Structure length198 ft (60.4 m)
Longest span55 ft (16.7 m)
Deck width26 ft (7.9 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deck100 ft (30.5 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic85 (2018)
Projected traffic100 by 2041
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 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 RD 20 over Pawnee River built?

It was built in 1963, making it 62 years old in 2025.

What condition is RD 20 over Pawnee River 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 November 2023.

How much traffic does RD 20 over Pawnee River carry?

About 85 vehicles per day (2018 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is RD 20 over Pawnee River?

The structure is 198 ft (60.4 m) long with a longest span of 55 ft (16.7 m) and a deck 26 ft wide.

Who owns RD 20 over Pawnee River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.