US Bridges

CR 668 over Watercress Creek

Fair

St. Louis County, Minnesota · 0.4 MI S of JCT CR461 · Structure no. 7791

Built
1941
84 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Culvert
Concrete
Length
22 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
15
2015 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

CR 668 over Watercress Creek is a concrete culvert carrying CR 668 over Watercress Creek in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It was built in 1941, so it is 84 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 15 vehicles a day, projected to reach 15 by 2039. The structure is 22 ft (6.7 m) long. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

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CarriesCR 668
CrossesWatercress Creek
Location0.4 MI S of JCT CR461
RouteCounty Highway 668
CountySt. Louis County
StateMinnesota
Coordinates47.63698, -92.73171
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
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Culvert6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating54 US tons
Inventory rating32.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans2
Design loadH 20
Structure length22 ft (6.7 m)
Longest span10 ft (3 m)
Deck width0 ft (0 m)
Roadway width0 ft (0 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic15 (2015)
Projected traffic15 by 2039
Trucks—
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed5 mi (8 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 CR 668 over Watercress Creek built?

It was built in 1941, making it 84 years old in 2025.

What condition is CR 668 over Watercress 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 September 2023.

How much traffic does CR 668 over Watercress Creek carry?

About 15 vehicles per day (2015 count).

How long is CR 668 over Watercress Creek?

The structure is 22 ft (6.7 m) long with a longest span of 10 ft (3 m).

Who owns CR 668 over Watercress Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.