US 10 over Buffalo River

Fair

Clay County, Minnesota · In Hawley · Structure no. 9031

Built: 1960; 65 years old
Condition: Fair; inspected August 2023
Type: Slab; Concrete Continuous
Length: 57 ft; 2 main spans
Daily traffic: 6,904; 2022 count
Owner: State; State Highway Agency

About this bridge

US 10 over Buffalo River is a concrete continuous slab carrying US 10 over Buffalo River in Clay County, Minnesota. It was built in 1960, so it is 65 years old, older than the Minnesota average of 38.5 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 6,904 vehicles a day, roughly 18% of them trucks, projected to reach 6,200 by 2042. The structure is 57 ft (17.5 m) long and 44 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesUS 10

CrossesBuffalo River

LocationIn Hawley

RouteU.S. Route 10

CountyClay County

StateMinnesota

Coordinates46.87733, -96.31133

Functional classRural Principal Arterial - Other

Condition and inspection

Fair

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

Component	Rating	Meaning
Deck	6 Satisfactory	Structural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure	6 Satisfactory	Structural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure	6 Satisfactory	Structural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection	8 Very Good	No problems noted.

Last inspectionAugust 2023

Inspection intervalevery 24 months

Operating statusOpen, no restriction

ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations

Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria

Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria

Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria

Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria

Operating rating60.1 US tons

Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab

MaterialConcrete Continuous

DeckConcrete, cast-in-place

Main spans2

Design loadHS 20

Structure length57 ft (17.5 m)

Longest span27 ft (8.3 m)

Deck width44 ft (13.5 m)

Roadway width38 ft (11.6 m)

Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic6,904 (2022)

Projected traffic6,200 by 2042

Trucks18%

Lanes on structure2

Traffic directionOne-way traffic

CarriesHighway

CrossesWaterway

Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)

TollOn a free road

National Highway SystemYes

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 US 10 over Buffalo River built?

It was built in 1960, making it 65 years old in 2025.

What condition is US 10 over Buffalo River 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 August 2023.

How much traffic does US 10 over Buffalo River carry?

About 6,904 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 18% are trucks.

How long is US 10 over Buffalo River?

The structure is 57 ft (17.5 m) long with a longest span of 27 ft (8.3 m) and a deck 44 ft wide.

Who owns US 10 over Buffalo River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.