US Bridges

Mo 5 S over Bear CR

Poor

Howard County, Missouri · S 8 T 51 N R 17 W · Structure no. 5213

Built
1930
95 years old, rebuilt 1970
Condition
Poor
inspected June 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
213 ft
5 main spans
Daily traffic
1,186
2024 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Mo 5 S over Bear CR is a concrete tee beam carrying Mo 5 S over Bear CR in Howard County, Missouri. It was built in 1930 and reconstructed in 1970, so it is 95 years old, older than the Missouri average of 45.1 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

It carries about 1,186 vehicles a day, roughly 6% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,542 by 2044. The structure is 213 ft (64.9 m) long and 23 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 21.7 mi (35 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesMo 5 S
CrossesBear CR
LocationS 8 T 51 N R 17 W
RouteState Highway 5
CountyHoward County
StateMissouri
Coordinates39.23243, -92.84425
Functional classRural Minor Arterial

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJune 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating49.6 US tons
Inventory rating25.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans5
Design loadH 15
Structure length213 ft (64.9 m)
Longest span43 ft (13 m)
Deck width23 ft (7 m)
Roadway width22 ft (6.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,186 (2024)
Projected traffic1,542 by 2044
Trucks6%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed21.7 mi (35 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$2.1 million (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Mo 5 S over Bear CR built?

It was built in 1930, making it 95 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1970.

What condition is Mo 5 S over Bear CR in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in June 2023.

How much traffic does Mo 5 S over Bear CR carry?

About 1,186 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 6% are trucks.

How long is Mo 5 S over Bear CR?

The structure is 213 ft (64.9 m) long with a longest span of 43 ft (13 m) and a deck 23 ft wide.

Who owns Mo 5 S over Bear CR?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.