US Bridges

County Highway over Buffalo Coulee

Fair

Traill County, North Dakota · 4 East Buxton · Structure no. 000000049123050

Built
1973
52 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2024
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete
Length
64 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
472
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Highway over Buffalo Coulee is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying County Highway over Buffalo Coulee in Traill County, North Dakota. It was built in 1973, so it is 52 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 472 vehicles a day, roughly 12% of them trucks, projected to reach 636 by 2042. The structure is 64 ft (19.5 m) long and 32 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Highway
CrossesBuffalo Coulee
Location4 East Buxton
RouteCounty Highway 4906
CountyTraill County
StateNorth Dakota
Coordinates47.59952, -96.99694
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
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 inspectionSeptember 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 geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating36 US tons
Inventory rating21.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Multiple
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length64 ft (19.5 m)
Longest span57 ft (17.4 m)
Deck width32 ft (9.7 m)
Roadway width29 ft (8.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic472 (2022)
Projected traffic636 by 2042
Trucks12%
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 statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$105,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Highway over Buffalo Coulee built?

It was built in 1973, making it 52 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Highway over Buffalo Coulee 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 2024.

How much traffic does County Highway over Buffalo Coulee carry?

About 472 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 12% are trucks.

How long is County Highway over Buffalo Coulee?

The structure is 64 ft (19.5 m) long with a longest span of 57 ft (17.4 m) and a deck 32 ft wide.

Who owns County Highway over Buffalo Coulee?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.