US Bridges

Cowan School over Cowan Creek

Fair

Letcher County, Kentucky · At JCT of KY-931 · Structure no. 067C00067N

Built
1993
32 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2024
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete
Length
32 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
200
2006 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Cowan School over Cowan Creek is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying Cowan School over Cowan Creek in Letcher County, Kentucky. It was built in 1993, so it is 32 years old, younger than the Kentucky average of 46.6 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.

It carries about 200 vehicles a day, projected to reach 200 by 2026. The structure is 32 ft (9.8 m) long and 24 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCowan School
CrossesCowan Creek
LocationAt JCT of KY-931
CountyLetcher County
StateKentucky
Coordinates37.09472, -82.84333
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionMay 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating64.6 US tons
Inventory rating38.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Multiple
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans1
Design loadHS 25 or greater
Structure length32 ft (9.8 m)
Longest span28 ft (8.5 m)
Deck width24 ft (7.3 m)
Roadway width23 ft (6.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic200 (2006)
Projected traffic200 by 2026
Trucks—
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty 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 Cowan School over Cowan Creek built?

It was built in 1993, making it 32 years old in 2025.

What condition is Cowan School over Cowan 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 May 2024.

How much traffic does Cowan School over Cowan Creek carry?

About 200 vehicles per day (2006 count).

How long is Cowan School over Cowan Creek?

The structure is 32 ft (9.8 m) long with a longest span of 28 ft (8.5 m) and a deck 24 ft wide.

Who owns Cowan School over Cowan Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.