US Bridges

County Highway over Big Coulee

GoodClosed to traffic

Benson County, North Dakota · 3 S. 1 W. Churchs Ferry · Structure no. 000000003129100

Built
1995
30 years old
Condition
Good
inspected August 2020
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Single or Spread
Prestressed Concrete
Length
76 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
25
2018 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Highway over Big Coulee is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - single or spread carrying County Highway over Big Coulee in Benson County, North Dakota. It was built in 1995, so it is 30 years old, younger than the North Dakota average of 48.2 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in good condition with a lowest component rating of 8 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. Its operating status is: closed to all traffic.

It carries about 25 vehicles a day, projected to reach 25 by 2038. The structure is 76 ft (23.2 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Highway
CrossesBig Coulee
Location3 S. 1 W. Churchs Ferry
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyBenson County
StateNorth Dakota
Coordinates48.22386, -99.22469
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Superstructure9 ExcellentNo problems noted.
Substructure9 ExcellentNo problems noted.
Channel and channel protection0 FailedOut of service and beyond corrective action.
Last inspectionAugust 2020
Inspection interval—
Operating statusClosed to all traffic
ScourScour critical; bridge has failed and is closed
Structural evaluation9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy0: Immediate repair necessary to put back in service
Approach roadway alignment0: Immediate repair necessary to put back in service
Operating rating110.1 US tons
Inventory rating59 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Single or Spread
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 25 or greater
Structure length76 ft (23.2 m)
Longest span75 ft (22.9 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.3 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic25 (2018)
Projected traffic25 by 2038
Trucks—
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 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$270,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Highway over Big Coulee built?

It was built in 1995, making it 30 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Highway over Big Coulee in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in August 2020.

How much traffic does County Highway over Big Coulee carry?

About 25 vehicles per day (2018 count).

How long is County Highway over Big Coulee?

The structure is 76 ft (23.2 m) long with a longest span of 75 ft (22.9 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns County Highway over Big Coulee?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.