US Bridges

County Highway over So Branch Forest River

PoorPosted for load

Grand Forks County, North Dakota · 2 North 8 West Inkster · Structure no. 000000018105020

Built
1950
75 years old, rebuilt 2012
Condition
Poor
inspected September 2024
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
55 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
40
2019 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Highway over So Branch Forest River is a steel truss - thru carrying County Highway over So Branch Forest River in Grand Forks County, North Dakota. It was built in 1950 and reconstructed in 2012, so it is 75 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 40 vehicles a day, projected to reach 40 by 2039. The structure is 55 ft (16.8 m) long and 26 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

CarriesCounty Highway
CrossesSo Branch Forest River
Location2 North 8 West Inkster
RouteCounty Highway 0
Coordinates48.16581, -97.8025
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.
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.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionSeptember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 12 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 adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating18.7 US tons
Inventory rating11.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadH 20
Structure length55 ft (16.8 m)
Longest span53 ft (16.2 m)
Deck width26 ft (7.9 m)
Roadway width25 ft (7.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic40 (2019)
Projected traffic40 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 statusListed on the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$251,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Highway over So Branch Forest River built?

It was built in 1950, making it 75 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2012.

What condition is County Highway over So Branch Forest 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 2024.

How much traffic does County Highway over So Branch Forest River carry?

About 40 vehicles per day (2019 count).

How long is County Highway over So Branch Forest River?

The structure is 55 ft (16.8 m) long with a longest span of 53 ft (16.2 m) and a deck 26 ft wide.

Who owns County Highway over So Branch Forest River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.