US Bridges

Nd Highway 19 over Big Coulee

Fair

Benson County, North Dakota · 3 West of Nd 30 · Structure no. 0019118258

Built
1960
65 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete Continuous
Length
80 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
350
2019 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Nd Highway 19 over Big Coulee is a concrete continuous tee beam carrying Nd Highway 19 over Big Coulee in Benson County, North Dakota. It was built in 1960, so it is 65 years old, older than the North Dakota average of 48.2 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 350 vehicles a day, roughly 14% of them trucks, projected to reach 350 by 2039. The structure is 80 ft (24.4 m) long and 36 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 83.9 mi (135 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesNd Highway 19
CrossesBig Coulee
Location3 West of Nd 30
RouteState Highway 19
CountyBenson County
StateNorth Dakota
Coordinates48.06464, -99.591
Functional classRural Minor Arterial

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionOctober 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
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating67.7 US tons
Inventory rating41.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20
Structure length80 ft (24.4 m)
Longest span38 ft (11.6 m)
Deck width36 ft (10.9 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic350 (2019)
Projected traffic350 by 2039
Trucks14%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed83.9 mi (135 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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Nd Highway 19 over Big Coulee built?

It was built in 1960, making it 65 years old in 2025.

What condition is Nd Highway 19 over Big Coulee 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 October 2023.

How much traffic does Nd Highway 19 over Big Coulee carry?

About 350 vehicles per day (2019 count), of which roughly 14% are trucks.

How long is Nd Highway 19 over Big Coulee?

The structure is 80 ft (24.4 m) long with a longest span of 38 ft (11.6 m) and a deck 36 ft wide.

Who owns Nd Highway 19 over Big Coulee?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.