US Bridges

County Highway over Coulee

PoorClosed to traffic

Ramsey County, North Dakota · 9 W 7 S Starkweather · Structure no. 000000036107130

Built
1940
85 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected November 2022
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
24 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
5
2018 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Highway over Coulee is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Highway over Coulee in Ramsey County, North Dakota. It was built in 1940, so it is 85 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 5 vehicles a day, projected to reach 5 by 2038. The structure is 24 ft (7.3 m) long and 18 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Highway
CrossesCoulee
Location9 W 7 S Starkweather
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyRamsey County
StateNorth Dakota
Coordinates48.35432, -99.06758
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
Deck4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionNovember 2022
Inspection interval—
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 alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating0 US tons
Inventory rating0 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length24 ft (7.3 m)
Longest span22 ft (6.7 m)
Deck width18 ft (5.5 m)
Roadway width17 ft (5.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic5 (2018)
Projected traffic5 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$177,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Highway over Coulee built?

It was built in 1940, making it 85 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Highway over 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 November 2022.

How much traffic does County Highway over Coulee carry?

About 5 vehicles per day (2018 count).

How long is County Highway over Coulee?

The structure is 24 ft (7.3 m) long with a longest span of 22 ft (6.7 m) and a deck 18 ft wide.

Who owns County Highway over Coulee?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.