US Bridges

County Highway over Buffalo Coulee

PoorPosted for load

Traill County, North Dakota · 1 North 6 East Buxton · Structure no. 000000049124040

Built
1950
75 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected September 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
44 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
20
2018 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Highway over Buffalo Coulee is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Highway over Buffalo Coulee in Traill County, North Dakota. It was built in 1950, so it is 75 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 20 vehicles a day, projected to reach 20 by 2038. The structure is 44 ft (13.4 m) long and 18 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Highway
CrossesBuffalo Coulee
Location1 North 6 East Buxton
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyTraill County
StateNorth Dakota
Coordinates47.61388, -96.97431
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
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 protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionSeptember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourUnknown foundation; not evaluated for scour
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating71.2 US tons
Inventory rating42.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length44 ft (13.4 m)
Longest span42 ft (12.8 m)
Deck width18 ft (5.6 m)
Roadway width17 ft (5.3 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 statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$231,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Highway over Buffalo Coulee built?

It was built in 1950, making it 75 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Highway over Buffalo 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 2024.

How much traffic does County Highway over Buffalo Coulee carry?

About 20 vehicles per day (2018 count).

How long is County Highway over Buffalo Coulee?

The structure is 44 ft (13.4 m) long with a longest span of 42 ft (12.8 m) and a deck 18 ft wide.

Who owns County Highway over Buffalo Coulee?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.