US Bridges

County Highway over Beaver Creek

PoorPosted for load

Steele County, North Dakota · 10 East of Sharon · Structure no. 000000046114050

Built
1940
85 years old, rebuilt 2001
Condition
Poor
inspected October 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Wood or Timber
Length
31 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
15
2017 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Highway over Beaver Creek is a wood or timber stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Highway over Beaver Creek in Steele County, North Dakota. It was built in 1940 and reconstructed in 2001, 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: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 15 vehicles a day, projected to reach 15 by 2037. The structure is 31 ft (9.4 m) long and 24 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

CarriesCounty Highway
CrossesBeaver Creek
Location10 East of Sharon
RouteCounty Highway 0
Coordinates47.60052, -97.68971
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionOctober 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourUnknown foundation; not evaluated for scour
Structural evaluation3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating16.1 US tons
Inventory rating10.5 US tons

Structure

MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length31 ft (9.4 m)
Longest span28 ft (8.5 m)
Deck width24 ft (7.4 m)
Roadway width23 ft (7.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic15 (2017)
Projected traffic15 by 2037
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 proposedWidening of existing bridge without deck rehabilitation
Estimated improvement cost$62,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Highway over Beaver Creek built?

It was built in 1940, making it 85 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2001.

What condition is County Highway over Beaver Creek 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 October 2024.

How much traffic does County Highway over Beaver Creek carry?

About 15 vehicles per day (2017 count).

How long is County Highway over Beaver Creek?

The structure is 31 ft (9.4 m) long with a longest span of 28 ft (8.5 m) and a deck 24 ft wide.

Who owns County Highway over Beaver Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.