US Bridges

County Highway over North Branch Elm River

Fair

Traill County, North Dakota · 1 East of Kelso · Structure no. 000000049121250

Built
1937
88 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
66 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
595
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Highway over North Branch Elm River is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Highway over North Branch Elm River in Traill County, North Dakota. It was built in 1937, so it is 88 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 595 vehicles a day, roughly 14% of them trucks, projected to reach 802 by 2042. The structure is 66 ft (20.1 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Highway
CrossesNorth Branch Elm River
Location1 East of Kelso
RouteCounty Highway 4919
CountyTraill County
StateNorth Dakota
Coordinates47.32331, -97.02976
Functional classRural Major Collector

Condition and inspection

Fair

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

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
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 adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating61.1 US tons
Inventory rating36.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 20
Structure length66 ft (20.1 m)
Longest span59 ft (18 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.5 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic595 (2022)
Projected traffic802 by 2042
Trucks14%
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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Highway over North Branch Elm River built?

It was built in 1937, making it 88 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Highway over North 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 August 2024.

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

About 595 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 14% are trucks.

How long is County Highway over North Branch Elm River?

The structure is 66 ft (20.1 m) long with a longest span of 59 ft (18 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns County Highway over North Branch Elm River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.