US Bridges

Mn 76 over Root River

Fair

Houston County, Minnesota · 0.4 MI N of W JCT TH 16 · Structure no. 9003

Built
1956
69 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
410 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
2,400
2016 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Mn 76 over Root River is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Mn 76 over Root River in Houston County, Minnesota. It was built in 1956, so it is 69 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 2,400 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,500 by 2036. The structure is 410 ft (125 m) long and 36 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 29.8 mi (48 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesMn 76
CrossesRoot River
Location0.4 MI N of W JCT TH 16
RouteState Highway 76
CountyHouston County
StateMinnesota
Coordinates43.76888, -91.57011
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 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 alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating60.5 US tons
Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 20
Structure length410 ft (125 m)
Longest span150 ft (45.7 m)
Deck width36 ft (11 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,400 (2016)
Projected traffic2,500 by 2036
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed29.8 mi (48 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

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$1,000 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Mn 76 over Root River built?

It was built in 1956, making it 69 years old in 2025.

What condition is Mn 76 over Root 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 May 2024.

How much traffic does Mn 76 over Root River carry?

About 2,400 vehicles per day (2016 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is Mn 76 over Root River?

The structure is 410 ft (125 m) long with a longest span of 150 ft (45.7 m) and a deck 36 ft wide.

Who owns Mn 76 over Root River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.