US Bridges

23rd Rd. over Little Arkansas River

FairPosted for load

Rice County, Kansas · 3.2W 3.5N of Little River · Structure no. 000800741005140

Built
1927
98 years old, rebuilt 1947
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2024
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
68 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
30
2021 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

23rd Rd. over Little Arkansas River is a steel truss - thru carrying 23rd Rd. over Little Arkansas River in Rice County, Kansas. It was built in 1927 and reconstructed in 1947, so it is 98 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 30 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 35 by 2044. The structure is 68 ft (20.7 m) long and 22 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

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Carries23rd Rd.
CrossesLittle Arkansas River
Location3.2W 3.5N of Little River
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyRice County
StateKansas
Coordinates38.44946, -98.07192
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.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionJune 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating48 US tons
Inventory rating28.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length68 ft (20.7 m)
Longest span65 ft (19.8 m)
Deck width22 ft (6.7 m)
Roadway width18 ft (5.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deck100 ft (30.5 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic30 (2021)
Projected traffic35 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 statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$630,000 (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was 23rd Rd. over Little Arkansas River built?

It was built in 1927, making it 98 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1947.

What condition is 23rd Rd. over Little Arkansas River 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 23rd Rd. over Little Arkansas River carry?

About 30 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is 23rd Rd. over Little Arkansas River?

The structure is 68 ft (20.7 m) long with a longest span of 65 ft (19.8 m) and a deck 22 ft wide.

Who owns 23rd Rd. over Little Arkansas River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.