US Bridges

Nd Highway 54 over Red River of the North

Fair

Walsh County, North Dakota · Minnesota Border · Structure no. 0054009958

Built
1959
66 years old, rebuilt 2008
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2024
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
792 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
1,500
2019 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Nd Highway 54 over Red River of the North is a steel truss - thru carrying Nd Highway 54 over Red River of the North in Walsh County, North Dakota. It was built in 1959 and reconstructed in 2008, so it is 66 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 1,500 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,500 by 2039. The structure is 792 ft (241.4 m) long and 33 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 29.8 mi (48 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesNd Highway 54
CrossesRed River of the North
LocationMinnesota Border
RouteState Highway 54
CountyWalsh County
StateNorth Dakota
Coordinates48.195, -97.14
Functional classRural Minor Arterial

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.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionJune 2024
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
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 adequacy4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating39.2 US tons
Inventory rating28.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2 (+7 approach)
Design loadH 20
Structure length792 ft (241.4 m)
Longest span215 ft (65.5 m)
Deck width33 ft (10.1 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deck16 ft (5 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,500 (2019)
Projected traffic1,500 by 2039
Trucks10%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed29.8 mi (48 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusListed on the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$2.5 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Nd Highway 54 over Red River of the North built?

It was built in 1959, making it 66 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2008.

What condition is Nd Highway 54 over Red River of the North 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 June 2024.

How much traffic does Nd Highway 54 over Red River of the North carry?

About 1,500 vehicles per day (2019 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is Nd Highway 54 over Red River of the North?

The structure is 792 ft (241.4 m) long with a longest span of 215 ft (65.5 m) and a deck 33 ft wide.

Who owns Nd Highway 54 over Red River of the North?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.