US Bridges

County Highway over Blacktail Creek

PoorPosted for load

Williams County, North Dakota · 12 South 3 West Appam · Structure no. 000000053119160

Built
1935
90 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected July 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
34 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
25
2019 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Highway over Blacktail Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Highway over Blacktail Creek in Williams County, North Dakota. It was built in 1935, so it is 90 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 25 vehicles a day, projected to reach 25 by 2039. The structure is 34 ft (10.4 m) long and 18 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Highway
CrossesBlacktail Creek
Location12 South 3 West Appam
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyWilliams County
StateNorth Dakota
Coordinates48.40324, -103.64616
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 inspectionJuly 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourUnknown foundation; not evaluated for scour
Structural evaluation2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Operating rating10 US tons
Inventory rating6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length34 ft (10.4 m)
Longest span32 ft (9.8 m)
Deck width18 ft (5.5 m)
Roadway width17 ft (5.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic25 (2019)
Projected traffic25 by 2039
Trucks—
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusPossibly eligible for the National Register; requires further investigation
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$209,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Highway over Blacktail Creek built?

It was built in 1935, making it 90 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Highway over Blacktail Creek 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 July 2023.

How much traffic does County Highway over Blacktail Creek carry?

About 25 vehicles per day (2019 count).

How long is County Highway over Blacktail Creek?

The structure is 34 ft (10.4 m) long with a longest span of 32 ft (9.8 m) and a deck 18 ft wide.

Who owns County Highway over Blacktail Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.