US Bridges

Nd Highway 17 over Mauvais Coulee

Poor

Towner County, North Dakota · 5 East of Cando · Structure no. 0017042967

Built
1962
63 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected September 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete Continuous
Length
95 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
560
2019 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Nd Highway 17 over Mauvais Coulee is a concrete continuous tee beam carrying Nd Highway 17 over Mauvais Coulee in Towner County, North Dakota. It was built in 1962, so it is 63 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.

It carries about 560 vehicles a day, roughly 9% of them trucks, projected to reach 560 by 2039. The structure is 95 ft (29 m) long and 36 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 55.9 mi (90 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesNd Highway 17
CrossesMauvais Coulee
Location5 East of Cando
RouteState Highway 17
CountyTowner County
StateNorth Dakota
Coordinates48.48643, -99.11191
Functional classRural Minor Arterial

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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating79.6 US tons
Inventory rating47.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length95 ft (29 m)
Longest span36 ft (11 m)
Deck width36 ft (10.9 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic560 (2019)
Projected traffic560 by 2039
Trucks9%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed55.9 mi (90 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost$201,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Nd Highway 17 over Mauvais Coulee built?

It was built in 1962, making it 63 years old in 2025.

What condition is Nd Highway 17 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 September 2023.

How much traffic does Nd Highway 17 over Mauvais Coulee carry?

About 560 vehicles per day (2019 count), of which roughly 9% are trucks.

How long is Nd Highway 17 over Mauvais Coulee?

The structure is 95 ft (29 m) long with a longest span of 36 ft (11 m) and a deck 36 ft wide.

Who owns Nd Highway 17 over Mauvais Coulee?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.