US Bridges

Ave. X over Old Channel Cow Creek

FairPosted for load

Rice County, Kansas · 1.5S 9.6E of Sterling · Structure no. 000800745205500

Built
1920
105 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2024
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
84 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
25
2021 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Ave. X over Old Channel Cow Creek is a steel truss - thru carrying Ave. X over Old Channel Cow Creek in Rice County, Kansas. It was built in 1920, so it is 105 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 25 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 30 by 2044. The structure is 84 ft (25.6 m) long and 23 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesAve. X
CrossesOld Channel Cow Creek
Location1.5S 9.6E of Sterling
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyRice County
StateKansas
Coordinates38.18821, -98.02774
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.
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 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 geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating45.4 US tons
Inventory rating27 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length84 ft (25.6 m)
Longest span80 ft (24.4 m)
Deck width23 ft (6.9 m)
Roadway width18 ft (5.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deck100 ft (30.5 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic25 (2021)
Projected traffic30 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 Ave. X over Old Channel Cow Creek built?

It was built in 1920, making it 105 years old in 2025.

What condition is Ave. X over Old Channel Cow 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 June 2024.

How much traffic does Ave. X over Old Channel Cow Creek carry?

About 25 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Ave. X over Old Channel Cow Creek?

The structure is 84 ft (25.6 m) long with a longest span of 80 ft (24.4 m) and a deck 23 ft wide.

Who owns Ave. X over Old Channel Cow Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.