US Bridges

US 2 Business Loop over Red River of the North

Fair

Grand Forks County, North Dakota · Grand Forks · Structure no. 0002911409

Built
1929
96 years old, rebuilt 1986
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2024
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
605 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
12,600
2019 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

US 2 Business Loop over Red River of the North is a steel truss - thru carrying US 2 Business Loop over Red River of the North in Grand Forks County, North Dakota. It was built in 1929 and reconstructed in 1986, so it is 96 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 12,600 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 12,600 by 2039. The structure is 605 ft (184.4 m) long and 41 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

CarriesUS 2 Business Loop
CrossesRed River of the North
LocationGrand Forks
RouteU.S. Route 2
Coordinates47.92667, -97.03
Functional classUrban Other Principal Arterial

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.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJuly 2024
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating41.7 US tons
Inventory rating22.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2 (+2 approach)
Design loadHS 15
Structure length605 ft (184.4 m)
Longest span262 ft (79.9 m)
Deck width41 ft (12.6 m)
Roadway width40 ft (12.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deck13 ft (4 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic12,600 (2019)
Projected traffic12,600 by 2039
Trucks2%
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

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusListed on the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedDeck rehabilitation with only incidental widening
Estimated improvement cost$818,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was US 2 Business Loop over Red River of the North built?

It was built in 1929, making it 96 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1986.

What condition is US 2 Business Loop over Red River of the North 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 July 2024.

How much traffic does US 2 Business Loop over Red River of the North carry?

About 12,600 vehicles per day (2019 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is US 2 Business Loop over Red River of the North?

The structure is 605 ft (184.4 m) long with a longest span of 262 ft (79.9 m) and a deck 41 ft wide.

Who owns US 2 Business Loop over Red River of the North?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.