US Bridges

B Road (rs 685) over Happy Creek

FairPosted for load

Trego County, Kansas · 6.0N 1.1E of Wakeeney · Structure no. 000000000980310

Built
1955
70 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
119 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
80
2020 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

B Road (rs 685) over Happy Creek is a concrete continuous slab carrying B Road (rs 685) over Happy Creek in Trego County, Kansas. It was built in 1955, so it is 70 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 6 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 80 vehicles a day, projected to reach 90 by 2043. The structure is 119 ft (36.4 m) long and 29 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesB Road (rs 685)
CrossesHappy Creek
Location6.0N 1.1E of Wakeeney
RouteCounty Highway 685
CountyTrego County
StateKansas
Coordinates39.11815, -99.84931
Functional classRural Major Collector

Condition and inspection

Fair

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

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
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 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating24.5 US tons
Inventory rating14.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 15
Structure length119 ft (36.4 m)
Longest span45 ft (13.7 m)
Deck width29 ft (8.9 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deck100 ft (30.5 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic80 (2020)
Projected traffic90 by 2043
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 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$300,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was B Road (rs 685) over Happy Creek built?

It was built in 1955, making it 70 years old in 2025.

What condition is B Road (rs 685) over Happy 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 2023.

How much traffic does B Road (rs 685) over Happy Creek carry?

About 80 vehicles per day (2020 count).

How long is B Road (rs 685) over Happy Creek?

The structure is 119 ft (36.4 m) long with a longest span of 45 ft (13.7 m) and a deck 29 ft wide.

Who owns B Road (rs 685) over Happy Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.