US Bridges

County Highway over Wintering River

PoorClosed to traffic

McHenry County, North Dakota · 2 South of Karlsruhe · Structure no. 000000025121390

Built
1936
89 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected July 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
33 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
24
2018 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Highway over Wintering River is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Highway over Wintering River in McHenry County, North Dakota. It was built in 1936, so it is 89 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: closed to all traffic.

It carries about 24 vehicles a day, projected to reach 24 by 2038. The structure is 33 ft (10.1 m) long and 18 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

CarriesCounty Highway
CrossesWintering River
Location2 South of Karlsruhe
RouteCounty Highway 0
Coordinates48.06579, -100.60614
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 inspectionJuly 2023
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusClosed to all traffic
ScourUnknown foundation; not evaluated for scour
Structural evaluation0: Immediate repair necessary to put back in service
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating17.2 US tons
Inventory rating10.3 US tons

Structure

MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length33 ft (10.1 m)
Longest span31 ft (9.4 m)
Deck width18 ft (5.6 m)
Roadway width17 ft (5.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic24 (2018)
Projected traffic24 by 2038
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 statusPossibly eligible for the National Register; requires further investigation
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$204,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Highway over Wintering River built?

It was built in 1936, making it 89 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Highway over Wintering 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 July 2023.

How much traffic does County Highway over Wintering River carry?

About 24 vehicles per day (2018 count).

How long is County Highway over Wintering River?

The structure is 33 ft (10.1 m) long with a longest span of 31 ft (9.4 m) and a deck 18 ft wide.

Who owns County Highway over Wintering River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.