US Bridges

J Road over North Fork Sappa Creek

PoorPosted for load

Rawlins County, Kansas · 7.0S 9.8E of Atwood · Structure no. 000770443803420

Built
1938
87 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected November 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Wood or Timber
Length
25 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
10
2020 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

J Road over North Fork Sappa Creek is a wood or timber stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying J Road over North Fork Sappa Creek in Rawlins County, Kansas. It was built in 1938, so it is 87 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 2044. The structure is 25 ft (7.5 m) long and 24 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesJ Road
CrossesNorth Fork Sappa Creek
Location7.0S 9.8E of Atwood
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyRawlins County
StateKansas
Coordinates39.69797, -100.85717
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 protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionNovember 2024
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 geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating9.1 US tons
Inventory rating5.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length25 ft (7.5 m)
Longest span21 ft (6.5 m)
Deck width24 ft (7.3 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deck100 ft (30.5 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic10 (2020)
Projected traffic15 by 2044
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$150,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was J Road over North Fork Sappa Creek built?

It was built in 1938, making it 87 years old in 2025.

What condition is J Road over North Fork Sappa 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 November 2024.

How much traffic does J Road over North Fork Sappa Creek carry?

About 10 vehicles per day (2020 count).

How long is J Road over North Fork Sappa Creek?

The structure is 25 ft (7.5 m) long with a longest span of 21 ft (6.5 m) and a deck 24 ft wide.

Who owns J Road over North Fork Sappa Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.