US Bridges

Upper Magpie Road over North Creek

PoorPosted for load

Billings County, North Dakota · 6 North 8 West Fairfield · Structure no. 000000004114030

Built
1916
109 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected September 2023
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
61 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
10
2018 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Upper Magpie Road over North Creek is a steel truss - thru carrying Upper Magpie Road over North Creek in Billings County, North Dakota. It was built in 1916, so it is 109 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 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 10 vehicles a day, projected to reach 10 by 2038. The structure is 61 ft (18.6 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 123.7 mi (199 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesUpper Magpie Road
CrossesNorth Creek
Location6 North 8 West Fairfield
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyBillings County
StateNorth Dakota
Coordinates47.28635, -103.37515
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourUnknown foundation; not evaluated for scour
Structural evaluation2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating11.8 US tons
Inventory rating7.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length61 ft (18.6 m)
Longest span59 ft (18 m)
Deck width16 ft (4.9 m)
Roadway width14 ft (4.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic10 (2018)
Projected traffic10 by 2038
Trucks—
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed123.7 mi (199 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$260,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Upper Magpie Road over North Creek built?

It was built in 1916, making it 109 years old in 2025.

What condition is Upper Magpie Road over North Creek 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 September 2023.

How much traffic does Upper Magpie Road over North Creek carry?

About 10 vehicles per day (2018 count).

How long is Upper Magpie Road over North Creek?

The structure is 61 ft (18.6 m) long with a longest span of 59 ft (18 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns Upper Magpie Road over North Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.