US Bridges

County RD S-80 over Bear CR

PoorPosted for load

Polk County, Missouri · S 17 T 33 N R 23 W · Structure no. 20468

Built
1900
125 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected April 2024
Type
Girder and Floorbeam System
Steel
Length
79 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
30
2024 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County RD S-80 over Bear CR is a steel girder and floorbeam system carrying County RD S-80 over Bear CR in Polk County, Missouri. It was built in 1900, so it is 125 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 30 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 44 by 2044. The structure is 79 ft (24.1 m) long and 15 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.8 mi (11 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty RD S-80
CrossesBear CR
LocationS 17 T 33 N R 23 W
RouteCounty Highway 261
CountyPolk County
StateMissouri
Coordinates37.58531, -93.48634
Functional classRural Local

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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionApril 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating18.8 US tons
Inventory rating1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeGirder and Floorbeam System
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadOther
Structure length79 ft (24.1 m)
Longest span38 ft (11.6 m)
Deck width15 ft (4.6 m)
Roadway width13 ft (4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic30 (2024)
Projected traffic44 by 2044
Trucks10%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.8 mi (11 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$599,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County RD S-80 over Bear CR built?

It was built in 1900, making it 125 years old in 2025.

What condition is County RD S-80 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 April 2024.

How much traffic does County RD S-80 over Bear CR carry?

About 30 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is County RD S-80 over Bear CR?

The structure is 79 ft (24.1 m) long with a longest span of 38 ft (11.6 m) and a deck 15 ft wide.

Who owns County RD S-80 over Bear CR?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.