US Bridges

County Highway over Salt Water Coulee

PoorPosted for load

Grand Forks County, North Dakota · 6 East 5 South Mekinock · Structure no. 000000018131180

Built
1958
67 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected June 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
31 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
40
2019 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Highway over Salt Water Coulee is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Highway over Salt Water Coulee in Grand Forks County, North Dakota. It was built in 1958, so it is 67 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 31 ft (9.4 m) long and 26 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Highway
CrossesSalt Water Coulee
Location6 East 5 South Mekinock
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyGrand Forks County
StateNorth Dakota
Coordinates47.94375, -97.23912
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 inspectionJune 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourUnknown foundation; not evaluated for scour
Structural evaluation3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating14.2 US tons
Inventory rating9.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadH 20
Structure length31 ft (9.4 m)
Longest span28 ft (8.5 m)
Deck width26 ft (7.9 m)
Roadway width25 ft (7.7 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 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 Salt Water Coulee built?

It was built in 1958, making it 67 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Highway over Salt Water Coulee 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 June 2023.

How much traffic does County Highway over Salt Water Coulee carry?

About 40 vehicles per day (2019 count).

How long is County Highway over Salt Water Coulee?

The structure is 31 ft (9.4 m) long with a longest span of 28 ft (8.5 m) and a deck 26 ft wide.

Who owns County Highway over Salt Water Coulee?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.