US Bridges

County Highway over James River

Fair

Wells County, North Dakota · 11 East 6 North Fessenden · Structure no. 000000052132090

Built
1966
59 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete
Length
40 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
110
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 1966, so it is 59 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 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 110 vehicles a day, roughly 15% of them trucks, projected to reach 50 by 2039. The structure is 40 ft (12.2 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
CrossesJames River
Location11 East 6 North Fessenden
RouteCounty Highway 5233
CountyWells County
StateNorth Dakota
Coordinates47.72837, -99.38309
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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
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
ScourUnknown foundation; not evaluated for scour
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating68.7 US tons
Inventory rating41.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Multiple
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans1
Design loadH 20
Structure length40 ft (12.2 m)
Longest span37 ft (11.3 m)
Deck width32 ft (9.7 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic110 (2019)
Projected traffic50 by 2039
Trucks15%
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$233,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Highway over James River built?

It was built in 1966, making it 59 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 110 vehicles per day (2019 count), of which roughly 15% are trucks.

How long is County Highway over James River?

The structure is 40 ft (12.2 m) long with a longest span of 37 ft (11.3 m) and a deck 32 ft wide.

Who owns County Highway over James River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.