US Bridges

Rock Creek Road over Bluff Creek

PoorPosted for load

Pottawatomie County, Kansas · 1.0W of Blaine · Structure no. 000750917003701

Built
1910
115 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected August 2023
Type
Girder and Floorbeam System
Steel
Length
25 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
10
2013 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Rock Creek Road over Bluff Creek is a steel girder and floorbeam system carrying Rock Creek Road over Bluff Creek in Pottawatomie County, Kansas. It was built in 1910, so it is 115 years old, older than the Kansas average of 52.8 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 10 vehicles a day, projected to reach 15 by 2043. The structure is 25 ft (7.6 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesRock Creek Road
CrossesBluff Creek
Location1.0W of Blaine
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyPottawatomie County
StateKansas
Coordinates39.49243, -96.42611
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionAugust 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating12.7 US tons
Inventory rating7.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeGirder and Floorbeam System
MaterialSteel
DeckCorrugated steel
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length25 ft (7.6 m)
Longest span23 ft (7 m)
Deck width16 ft (4.9 m)
Roadway width16 ft (4.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deck100 ft (30.5 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic10 (2013)
Projected traffic15 by 2043
Trucks0%
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 statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$260,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Rock Creek Road over Bluff Creek built?

It was built in 1910, making it 115 years old in 2025.

What condition is Rock Creek Road over Bluff Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in August 2023.

How much traffic does Rock Creek Road over Bluff Creek carry?

About 10 vehicles per day (2013 count).

How long is Rock Creek Road over Bluff Creek?

The structure is 25 ft (7.6 m) long with a longest span of 23 ft (7 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns Rock Creek Road over Bluff Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.