US Bridges

L Road over Sawmill Creek

FairPosted for load

Pawnee County, Kansas · 1.5S 4.5W of Larned · Structure no. 000730619605540

Built
1935
90 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
71 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
50
2021 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

L Road over Sawmill Creek is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying L Road over Sawmill Creek in Pawnee County, Kansas. It was built in 1935, so it is 90 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 5 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 71 ft (21.6 m) long and 24 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesL Road
CrossesSawmill Creek
Location1.5S 4.5W of Larned
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyPawnee County
StateKansas
Coordinates38.15999, -99.17464
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJanuary 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourUnknown foundation; not evaluated for scour
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating20.8 US tons
Inventory rating12 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadUnknown
Structure length71 ft (21.6 m)
Longest span24 ft (7.3 m)
Deck width24 ft (7.3 m)
Roadway width22 ft (6.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deck100 ft (30.5 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic50 (2021)
Projected traffic60 by 2044
Trucks5%
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 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 L Road over Sawmill Creek built?

It was built in 1935, making it 90 years old in 2025.

What condition is L Road over Sawmill 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 January 2024.

How much traffic does L Road over Sawmill Creek carry?

About 50 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is L Road over Sawmill Creek?

The structure is 71 ft (21.6 m) long with a longest span of 24 ft (7.3 m) and a deck 24 ft wide.

Who owns L Road over Sawmill Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.