US Bridges

CR 344 over Water Hen Creek

Fair

St. Louis County, Minnesota · 0.3 MI S of JCT Csah 16 · Structure no. 93513

Built
1980
45 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
32 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
5
2011 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

CR 344 over Water Hen Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying CR 344 over Water Hen Creek in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It was built in 1980, so it is 45 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 5 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 5 vehicles a day, projected to reach 5 by 2039. The structure is 32 ft (9.9 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCR 344
CrossesWater Hen Creek
Location0.3 MI S of JCT Csah 16
RouteCounty Highway 344
CountySt. Louis County
StateMinnesota
Coordinates47.36683, -92.2408
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionAugust 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating33.8 US tons
Inventory rating25.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length32 ft (9.9 m)
Longest span31 ft (9.4 m)
Deck width30 ft (9.1 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic5 (2011)
Projected traffic5 by 2039
Trucks—
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 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 344 over Water Hen Creek built?

It was built in 1980, making it 45 years old in 2025.

What condition is CR 344 over Water Hen 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 August 2024.

How much traffic does CR 344 over Water Hen Creek carry?

About 5 vehicles per day (2011 count).

How long is CR 344 over Water Hen Creek?

The structure is 32 ft (9.9 m) long with a longest span of 31 ft (9.4 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns CR 344 over Water Hen Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.