US Bridges

County Highway over Coulee

Fair

Grand Forks County, North Dakota · City of Mekinock · Structure no. 000000018125135

Built
1965
60 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2023
Type
Channel Beam
Concrete
Length
25 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
875
2019 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Highway over Coulee is a concrete channel beam carrying County Highway over Coulee in Grand Forks County, North Dakota. It was built in 1965, so it is 60 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 6 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 875 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 400 by 2039. The structure is 25 ft (7.6 m) long and 32 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Highway
CrossesCoulee
LocationCity of Mekinock
RouteCounty Highway 1803
CountyGrand Forks County
StateNorth Dakota
Coordinates48.01752, -97.36357
Functional classRural Major Collector

Condition and inspection

Fair

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

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionAugust 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourUnknown foundation; not evaluated for scour
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating63.1 US tons
Inventory rating37.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeChannel Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length25 ft (7.6 m)
Longest span24 ft (7.3 m)
Deck width32 ft (9.7 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic875 (2019)
Projected traffic400 by 2039
Trucks10%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.2 mi (10 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 Coulee built?

It was built in 1965, making it 60 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Highway over 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 August 2023.

How much traffic does County Highway over Coulee carry?

About 875 vehicles per day (2019 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is County Highway over Coulee?

The structure is 25 ft (7.6 m) long with a longest span of 24 ft (7.3 m) and a deck 32 ft wide.

Who owns County Highway over Coulee?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.