US Bridges

County Highway over Fresh Water Coulee

Fair

Grand Forks County, North Dakota · 7 West 2 North Grand Fork · Structure no. 000000018132170

Built
1947
78 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
50 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
35
2019 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Highway over Fresh Water Coulee is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Highway over Fresh Water Coulee in Grand Forks County, North Dakota. It was built in 1947, so it is 78 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 5 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 35 vehicles a day, projected to reach 35 by 2039. The structure is 50 ft (15.2 m) long and 22 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Highway
CrossesFresh Water Coulee
Location7 West 2 North Grand Fork
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyGrand Forks County
StateNorth Dakota
Coordinates47.95283, -97.21736
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Fair

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

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.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJune 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourUnknown foundation; not evaluated for scour
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating62.6 US tons
Inventory rating37.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadH 20
Structure length50 ft (15.2 m)
Longest span23 ft (7 m)
Deck width22 ft (6.7 m)
Roadway width21 ft (6.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic35 (2019)
Projected traffic35 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 proposedWidening with deck rehabilitation or replacement
Estimated improvement cost$128,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Highway over Fresh Water Coulee built?

It was built in 1947, making it 78 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Highway over Fresh Water 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 June 2023.

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

About 35 vehicles per day (2019 count).

How long is County Highway over Fresh Water Coulee?

The structure is 50 ft (15.2 m) long with a longest span of 23 ft (7 m) and a deck 22 ft wide.

Who owns County Highway over Fresh Water Coulee?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.