US Bridges

County Highway over Coulee

Fair

Towner County, North Dakota · 3 East 2 South of Bisbee · Structure no. 000000048109280

Built
1969
56 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2024
Type
Channel Beam
Concrete
Length
36 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
10
2018 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Highway over Coulee is a concrete channel beam carrying County Highway over Coulee in Towner County, North Dakota. It was built in 1969, so it is 56 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 5 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 10 vehicles a day, projected to reach 10 by 2038. The structure is 36 ft (11 m) long and 25 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Highway
CrossesCoulee
Location3 East 2 South of Bisbee
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyTowner County
StateNorth Dakota
Coordinates48.60253, -99.32319
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionAugust 2024
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 geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating43.8 US tons
Inventory rating26.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeChannel Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length36 ft (11 m)
Longest span34 ft (10.4 m)
Deck width25 ft (7.7 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic10 (2018)
Projected traffic10 by 2038
Trucks—
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 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 County Highway over Coulee built?

It was built in 1969, making it 56 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Highway over Coulee 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 August 2024.

How much traffic does County Highway over Coulee carry?

About 10 vehicles per day (2018 count).

How long is County Highway over Coulee?

The structure is 36 ft (11 m) long with a longest span of 34 ft (10.4 m) and a deck 25 ft wide.

Who owns County Highway over Coulee?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.