US Bridges

SR 178 over Burlington Northern RR

Poor

Benton County, Mississippi · 0.9 MI N Union Cl · Structure no. 210007800505260

Built
1937
88 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected January 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
168 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
280
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

SR 178 over Burlington Northern RR is a concrete tee beam carrying SR 178 over Burlington Northern RR in Benton County, Mississippi. It was built in 1937, so it is 88 years old, older than the Mississippi average of 38.9 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 280 vehicles a day, roughly 11% of them trucks, projected to reach 280 by 2043. The structure is 168 ft (51.2 m) long and 27 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 23 mi (37 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSR 178
CrossesBurlington Northern RR
Location0.9 MI N Union Cl
RouteState Highway 178
CountyBenton County
StateMississippi
Coordinates34.60838, -89.14724
Functional classRural Major Collector

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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionJanuary 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating46.1 US tons
Inventory rating27.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1 (+4 approach)
Design loadH 15
Structure length168 ft (51.2 m)
Longest span48 ft (14.6 m)
Deck width27 ft (8.2 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic280 (2023)
Projected traffic280 by 2043
Trucks11%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesRailroad
Detour if closed23 mi (37 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$494 million
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was SR 178 over Burlington Northern RR built?

It was built in 1937, making it 88 years old in 2025.

What condition is SR 178 over Burlington Northern RR 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 January 2023.

How much traffic does SR 178 over Burlington Northern RR carry?

About 280 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 11% are trucks.

How long is SR 178 over Burlington Northern RR?

The structure is 168 ft (51.2 m) long with a longest span of 48 ft (14.6 m) and a deck 27 ft wide.

Who owns SR 178 over Burlington Northern RR?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.