CR 542 over CO Ditch

Fair

St. Louis County, Minnesota · 0.1 MI E of JCT Csah 7 · Structure no. 97250

Built: 1978; 47 years old
Condition: Fair; inspected September 2023
Type: Culvert; Concrete
Length: 34 ft; 2 main spans
Daily traffic: 5; 2011 count
Owner: County; County Highway Agency

About this bridge

CR 542 over CO Ditch is a concrete culvert carrying CR 542 over CO Ditch in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It was built in 1978, so it is 47 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 34 ft (10.3 m) long. If it were closed, the detour would be 123 mi (198 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps

CarriesCR 542

CrossesCO Ditch

Location0.1 MI E of JCT Csah 7

RouteCounty Highway 542

CountySt. Louis County

StateMinnesota

Coordinates47.21133, -92.60287

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.

Component	Rating	Meaning
Channel and channel protection	5 Fair	All primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Culvert	5 Fair	All primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.

Last inspectionSeptember 2023

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

Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria

Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria

Operating rating46.4 US tons

Inventory rating35.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert

MaterialConcrete

DeckNot applicable

Main spans2

Design loadHS 20

Structure length34 ft (10.3 m)

Longest span14 ft (4.3 m)

Deck width0 ft (0 m)

Roadway width0 ft (0 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 closed123 mi (198 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 542 over CO Ditch built?

It was built in 1978, making it 47 years old in 2025.

What condition is CR 542 over CO Ditch 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 542 over CO Ditch carry?

About 5 vehicles per day (2011 count).

How long is CR 542 over CO Ditch?

The structure is 34 ft (10.3 m) long with a longest span of 14 ft (4.3 m).

Who owns CR 542 over CO Ditch?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.