US Bridges

Cowan School over Cowan Creek

FairPosted for load

Letcher County, Kentucky · At JCT of KY-931 · Structure no. 067C00074N

Built
1998
27 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
28 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
250
2006 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Cowan School over Cowan Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Cowan School over Cowan Creek in Letcher County, Kentucky. It was built in 1998, so it is 27 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 250 vehicles a day, projected to reach 250 by 2026. The structure is 28 ft (8.5 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesCowan School
CrossesCowan Creek
LocationAt JCT of KY-931
CountyLetcher County
StateKentucky
Coordinates37.09333, -82.84278
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.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionMay 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating59.4 US tons
Inventory rating35.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length28 ft (8.5 m)
Longest span27 ft (8.2 m)
Deck width16 ft (4.9 m)
Roadway width14 ft (4.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic250 (2006)
Projected traffic250 by 2026
Trucks—
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-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 1998, making it 27 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 250 vehicles per day (2006 count).

How long is Cowan School over Cowan Creek?

The structure is 28 ft (8.5 m) long with a longest span of 27 ft (8.2 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns Cowan School over Cowan Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.