US Bridges

County Highway over Branch of Elm River

Poor

Cass County, North Dakota · 5 East 1 South of Hunter · Structure no. 000000009128040

Built
1968
57 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected September 2023
Type
Channel Beam
Concrete
Length
25 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
10
2019 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Highway over Branch of Elm River is a concrete channel beam carrying County Highway over Branch of Elm River in Cass County, North Dakota. It was built in 1968, so it is 57 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.

It carries about 10 vehicles a day, projected to reach 10 by 2039. The structure is 25 ft (7.6 m) long and 26 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Highway
CrossesBranch of Elm River
Location5 East 1 South of Hunter
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyCass County
StateNorth Dakota
Coordinates47.18099, -97.11295
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating44.9 US tons
Inventory rating26.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeChannel Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length25 ft (7.6 m)
Longest span23 ft (7 m)
Deck width26 ft (7.8 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic10 (2019)
Projected traffic10 by 2039
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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Highway over Branch of Elm River built?

It was built in 1968, making it 57 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Highway over Branch of Elm River 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 County Highway over Branch of Elm River carry?

About 10 vehicles per day (2019 count).

How long is County Highway over Branch of Elm River?

The structure is 25 ft (7.6 m) long with a longest span of 23 ft (7 m) and a deck 26 ft wide.

Who owns County Highway over Branch of Elm River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.