US Bridges

County Highway over Big Coulee

Good

Towner County, North Dakota · 1 East 2 North Cando · Structure no. 000000048115340

Built
2003
22 years old
Condition
Good
inspected August 2024
Type
Culvert
Concrete
Length
25 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
10
2017 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Highway over Big Coulee is a concrete culvert carrying County Highway over Big Coulee in Towner County, North Dakota. It was built in 2003, so it is 22 years old, younger than the North Dakota average of 48.2 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in good condition with a lowest component rating of 7 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 10 vehicles a day, projected to reach 10 by 2037. The structure is 25 ft (7.6 m) long. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

CarriesCounty Highway
CrossesBig Coulee
Location1 East 2 North Cando
RouteCounty Highway 0
Coordinates48.5213, -99.18798
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Culvert7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionAugust 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating86.9 US tons
Inventory rating52 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans2
Design loadHS 25 or greater
Structure length25 ft (7.6 m)
Longest span12 ft (3.7 m)
Deck width0 ft (0 m)
Roadway width0 ft (0 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic10 (2017)
Projected traffic10 by 2037
Trucks—
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.2 mi (10 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 Big Coulee built?

It was built in 2003, making it 22 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Highway over Big Coulee in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in August 2024.

How much traffic does County Highway over Big Coulee carry?

About 10 vehicles per day (2017 count).

How long is County Highway over Big Coulee?

The structure is 25 ft (7.6 m) long with a longest span of 12 ft (3.7 m).

Who owns County Highway over Big Coulee?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.