US Bridges

Zigzag Road over Middle Fork Lake Creek

Fair

Wallace County, Kansas · 11.0N 0.9W Sharon Springs · Structure no. 001000343104300

Built
1940
85 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
27 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
40
2020 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Zigzag Road over Middle Fork Lake Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Zigzag Road over Middle Fork Lake Creek in Wallace County, Kansas. It was built in 1940, so it is 85 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.

It carries about 40 vehicles a day, projected to reach 45 by 2043. The structure is 27 ft (8.1 m) long and 20 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesZigzag Road
CrossesMiddle Fork Lake Creek
Location11.0N 0.9W Sharon Springs
RouteCounty Highway 10016
CountyWallace County
StateKansas
Coordinates39.06115, -101.75372
Functional classRural Minor 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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
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 statusOpen, no 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 geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating36.5 US tons
Inventory rating21.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length27 ft (8.1 m)
Longest span24 ft (7.2 m)
Deck width20 ft (6.1 m)
Roadway width17 ft (5.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deck100 ft (30.5 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic40 (2020)
Projected traffic45 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$225,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Zigzag Road over Middle Fork Lake Creek built?

It was built in 1940, making it 85 years old in 2025.

What condition is Zigzag Road over Middle Fork Lake 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 Zigzag Road over Middle Fork Lake Creek carry?

About 40 vehicles per day (2020 count).

How long is Zigzag Road over Middle Fork Lake Creek?

The structure is 27 ft (8.1 m) long with a longest span of 24 ft (7.2 m) and a deck 20 ft wide.

Who owns Zigzag Road over Middle Fork Lake Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.