US Bridges

K55 HWY over Arkansas River Drainage

Poor

Sumner County, Kansas · 8.39 MI E US81 · Structure no. 999905500961171

Built
1933
92 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected October 2024
Type
Culvert
Concrete
Length
26 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
836
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

K55 HWY over Arkansas River Drainage is a concrete culvert carrying K55 HWY over Arkansas River Drainage in Sumner County, Kansas. It was built in 1933, so it is 92 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.

It carries about 836 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 853 by 2044. The structure is 26 ft (7.8 m) long and 32 ft wide.

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesK55 HWY
CrossesArkansas River Drainage
Location8.39 MI E US81
RouteState Highway 55
CountySumner County
StateKansas
Coordinates37.39111, -97.18083
Functional classRural Minor Arterial

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
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Culvert4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionOctober 2024
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating38.1 US tons
Inventory rating22 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 15
Structure length26 ft (7.8 m)
Longest span8 ft (2.4 m)
Deck width32 ft (9.9 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic836 (2023)
Projected traffic853 by 2044
Trucks10%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed—
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState 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 K55 HWY over Arkansas River Drainage built?

It was built in 1933, making it 92 years old in 2025.

What condition is K55 HWY over Arkansas River Drainage 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 October 2024.

How much traffic does K55 HWY over Arkansas River Drainage carry?

About 836 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is K55 HWY over Arkansas River Drainage?

The structure is 26 ft (7.8 m) long with a longest span of 8 ft (2.4 m) and a deck 32 ft wide.

Who owns K55 HWY over Arkansas River Drainage?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.