US Bridges

6th Avenue West over Heart River

Fair

Stark County, North Dakota · 6th Ave West in Belfield · Structure no. 000000045102080

Built
1927
98 years old, rebuilt 1937
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
44 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
1,076
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

6th Avenue West over Heart River is a concrete tee beam carrying 6th Avenue West over Heart River in Stark County, North Dakota. It was built in 1927 and reconstructed in 1937, so it is 98 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 6 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 1,076 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,450 by 2042. The structure is 44 ft (13.4 m) long and 32 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

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Carries6th Avenue West
CrossesHeart River
Location6th Ave West in Belfield
RouteCounty Highway 4510
CountyStark County
StateNorth Dakota
Coordinates46.89073, -103.19957
Functional classRural Major Collector

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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMay 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 adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating36 US tons
Inventory rating21.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length44 ft (13.4 m)
Longest span42 ft (12.8 m)
Deck width32 ft (9.8 m)
Roadway width31 ft (9.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,076 (2022)
Projected traffic1,450 by 2042
Trucks10%
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 6th Avenue West over Heart River built?

It was built in 1927, making it 98 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1937.

What condition is 6th Avenue West over Heart River 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 May 2023.

How much traffic does 6th Avenue West over Heart River carry?

About 1,076 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is 6th Avenue West over Heart River?

The structure is 44 ft (13.4 m) long with a longest span of 42 ft (12.8 m) and a deck 32 ft wide.

Who owns 6th Avenue West over Heart River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.