US Bridges

County Highway over James River

Fair

Wells County, North Dakota · 8 East 2 North Fessenden · Structure no. 000000052129120

Built
1981
44 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Single or Spread
Prestressed Concrete
Length
85 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
10
2019 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Highway over James River is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - single or spread carrying County Highway over James River in Wells County, North Dakota. It was built in 1981, so it is 44 years old, younger 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 6 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 10 vehicles a day, projected to reach 10 by 2039. The structure is 85 ft (25.9 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Highway
CrossesJames River
Location8 East 2 North Fessenden
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyWells County
StateNorth Dakota
Coordinates47.68242, -99.44743
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating41.6 US tons
Inventory rating23.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Single or Spread
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 20
Structure length85 ft (25.9 m)
Longest span81 ft (24.7 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.3 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic10 (2019)
Projected traffic10 by 2039
Trucks—
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.2 mi (10 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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Highway over James River built?

It was built in 1981, making it 44 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Highway over James 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 James River carry?

About 10 vehicles per day (2019 count).

How long is County Highway over James River?

The structure is 85 ft (25.9 m) long with a longest span of 81 ft (24.7 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns County Highway over James River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.