US Bridges

County Highway over Branch Elm River

FairPosted for load

Traill County, North Dakota · 1 East 1 South Clifford · Structure no. 000000049105231

Built
1936
89 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Wood or Timber
Length
25 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
20
2018 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Highway over Branch Elm River is a wood or timber stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Highway over Branch Elm River in Traill County, North Dakota. It was built in 1936, so it is 89 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 20 vehicles a day, projected to reach 20 by 2038. The structure is 25 ft (7.6 m) long and 20 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Highway
CrossesBranch Elm River
Location1 East 1 South Clifford
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyTraill County
StateNorth Dakota
Coordinates47.33866, -97.38292
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourUnknown foundation; not evaluated for scour
Structural evaluation2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating13.3 US tons
Inventory rating9.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length25 ft (7.6 m)
Longest span22 ft (6.7 m)
Deck width20 ft (6.2 m)
Roadway width19 ft (5.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic20 (2018)
Projected traffic20 by 2038
Trucks—
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$182,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Highway over Branch Elm River built?

It was built in 1936, making it 89 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Highway over Branch Elm River 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 September 2023.

How much traffic does County Highway over Branch Elm River carry?

About 20 vehicles per day (2018 count).

How long is County Highway over Branch Elm River?

The structure is 25 ft (7.6 m) long with a longest span of 22 ft (6.7 m) and a deck 20 ft wide.

Who owns County Highway over Branch Elm River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.