US Bridges

County Highway over Mauvais Coulee

PoorPosted for load

Towner County, North Dakota · 5 East 1 South Cando · Structure no. 000000048119370

Built
1979
46 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected August 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Prestressed Concrete
Length
45 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
10
2018 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Highway over Mauvais Coulee is a prestressed concrete tee beam carrying County Highway over Mauvais Coulee in Towner County, North Dakota. It was built in 1979, so it is 46 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 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 10 vehicles a day, projected to reach 10 by 2038. The structure is 45 ft (13.7 m) long and 24 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Highway
CrossesMauvais Coulee
Location5 East 1 South Cando
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyTowner County
StateNorth Dakota
Coordinates48.47871, -99.10094
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.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionAugust 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 geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating17.2 US tons
Inventory rating10.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans1
Design loadH 20
Structure length45 ft (13.7 m)
Longest span42 ft (12.8 m)
Deck width24 ft (7.3 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 closed3.7 mi (6 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 proposedWidening of existing bridge without deck rehabilitation
Estimated improvement cost$87,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Highway over Mauvais Coulee built?

It was built in 1979, making it 46 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Highway over Mauvais 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 Mauvais Coulee carry?

About 10 vehicles per day (2018 count).

How long is County Highway over Mauvais Coulee?

The structure is 45 ft (13.7 m) long with a longest span of 42 ft (12.8 m) and a deck 24 ft wide.

Who owns County Highway over Mauvais Coulee?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.