US Bridges

County Highway over Coulee

PoorPosted for load

Towner County, North Dakota · 4 West 1 South Hansboro · Structure no. 000000048103050

Built
1939
86 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected August 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
30 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
1
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 Towner County, North Dakota. It was built in 1939, so it is 86 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 1 vehicles a day, projected to reach 1 by 2038. The structure is 30 ft (9.1 m) long and 18 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Highway
CrossesCoulee
Location4 West 1 South Hansboro
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyTowner County
StateNorth Dakota
Coordinates48.9352, -99.46965
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 protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionAugust 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourUnknown foundation; not evaluated for scour
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Operating rating28.5 US tons
Inventory rating17.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length30 ft (9.1 m)
Longest span28 ft (8.5 m)
Deck width18 ft (5.4 m)
Roadway width16 ft (4.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1 (2018)
Projected traffic1 by 2038
Trucks—
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 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 with deck rehabilitation or replacement
Estimated improvement cost$86,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Highway over Coulee built?

It was built in 1939, making it 86 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 August 2024.

How much traffic does County Highway over Coulee carry?

About 1 vehicles per day (2018 count).

How long is County Highway over Coulee?

The structure is 30 ft (9.1 m) long with a longest span of 28 ft (8.5 m) and a deck 18 ft wide.

Who owns County Highway over Coulee?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.