US Bridges

County Highway over James River

Good

Wells County, North Dakota · 9 East 3 North Fessenden · Structure no. 000000052130110

Built
1962
63 years old
Condition
Good
inspected September 2023
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete
Length
51 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
20
2019 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Highway over James River is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying County Highway over James River in Wells County, North Dakota. It was built in 1962, so it is 63 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 good condition with a lowest component rating of 7 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 20 vehicles a day, projected to reach 20 by 2039. The structure is 51 ft (15.5 m) long and 27 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Highway
CrossesJames River
Location9 East 3 North Fessenden
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyWells County
StateNorth Dakota
Coordinates47.68765, -99.42805
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
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 geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating49.2 US tons
Inventory rating28 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Multiple
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans1
Design loadH 20
Structure length51 ft (15.5 m)
Longest span49 ft (14.9 m)
Deck width27 ft (8.3 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic20 (2019)
Projected traffic20 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 1962, making it 63 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Highway over James River in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in September 2023.

How much traffic does County Highway over James River carry?

About 20 vehicles per day (2019 count).

How long is County Highway over James River?

The structure is 51 ft (15.5 m) long with a longest span of 49 ft (14.9 m) and a deck 27 ft wide.

Who owns County Highway over James River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.