US Bridges

Private Drive over Ditch

FairPosted for load

Rice County, Kansas · .5 MI W. of Sterling · Structure no. 000800725005466

Built
1950
75 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Wood or Timber
Length
24 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
5
2021 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Private Drive over Ditch is a wood or timber stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Private Drive over Ditch in Rice County, Kansas. It was built in 1950, so it is 75 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 5 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 65 by 2044. The structure is 24 ft (7.2 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 198.8 mi (320 km).

Location

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CarriesPrivate Drive
CrossesDitch
Location.5 MI W. of Sterling
RouteCity Street 0
CountyRice County
StateKansas
Coordinates38.20888, -98.21601
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
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 inspectionJune 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating27.4 US tons
Inventory rating20 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length24 ft (7.2 m)
Longest span22 ft (6.6 m)
Deck width16 ft (4.9 m)
Roadway width16 ft (4.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deck100 ft (30.5 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic5 (2021)
Projected traffic65 by 2044
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed198.8 mi (320 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 Private Drive over Ditch built?

It was built in 1950, making it 75 years old in 2025.

What condition is Private Drive over Ditch 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 June 2024.

How much traffic does Private Drive over Ditch carry?

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

How long is Private Drive over Ditch?

The structure is 24 ft (7.2 m) long with a longest span of 22 ft (6.6 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns Private Drive over Ditch?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.