US Bridges

O Road over North Fork Solomon River

FairPosted for load

Smith County, Kansas · 2.0W of Harlan · Structure no. 000920665003545

Built
1910
115 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2024
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
124 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
30
2020 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

O Road over North Fork Solomon River is a steel truss - thru carrying O Road over North Fork Solomon River in Smith 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 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, projected to reach 45 by 2044. The structure is 124 ft (37.8 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 8.1 mi (13 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesO Road
CrossesNorth Fork Solomon River
Location2.0W of Harlan
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountySmith County
StateKansas
Coordinates39.60472, -98.80455
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 protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionMarch 2024
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating43.2 US tons
Inventory rating25.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length124 ft (37.8 m)
Longest span60 ft (18.2 m)
Deck width16 ft (4.9 m)
Roadway width15 ft (4.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deck100 ft (30.5 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic30 (2020)
Projected traffic45 by 2044
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed8.1 mi (13 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$525,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was O Road over North Fork Solomon River built?

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

What condition is O Road over North Fork Solomon 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 March 2024.

How much traffic does O Road over North Fork Solomon River carry?

About 30 vehicles per day (2020 count).

How long is O Road over North Fork Solomon River?

The structure is 124 ft (37.8 m) long with a longest span of 60 ft (18.2 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns O Road over North Fork Solomon River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.