Township Road over Ponca Creek

FairPosted for load

Boyd County, Nebraska · 2SE of Bristow · Structure no. C000817305

Built: 1953; 72 years old, rebuilt 1995
Condition: Fair; inspected June 2023
Type: Truss - Thru; Steel
Length: 81 ft; 1 main span
Daily traffic: 20; 2003 count
Owner: County; County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Township Road over Ponca Creek is a steel truss - thru carrying Township Road over Ponca Creek in Boyd County, Nebraska. It was built in 1953 and reconstructed in 1995, so it is 72 years old, older than the Nebraska average of 47.1 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 20 vehicles a day, projected to reach 24 by 2033. The structure is 81 ft (24.7 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 49.7 mi (80 km).

Location

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CarriesTownship Road

CrossesPonca Creek

Location2SE of Bristow

RouteCounty Highway 73

CountyBoyd County

StateNebraska

Coordinates42.8363, -98.5453

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.

Component	Rating	Meaning
Deck	6 Satisfactory	Structural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure	5 Fair	All primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure	6 Satisfactory	Structural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection	5 Fair	All primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.

Last inspectionJune 2023

Inspection intervalevery 24 months

Operating statusPosted for load restriction

ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations

Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is

Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria

Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria

Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria

Operating rating19.8 US tons

Inventory rating12.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru

MaterialSteel

DeckWood or timber

Main spans1

Design loadUnknown

Structure length81 ft (24.7 m)

Longest span79 ft (24.1 m)

Deck width16 ft (4.9 m)

Roadway width15 ft (4.7 m)

Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic20 (2003)

Projected traffic24 by 2033

Trucks0%

Lanes on structure1

Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic

CarriesHighway

CrossesWaterway

Detour if closed49.7 mi (80 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—

NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Township Road over Ponca Creek built?

It was built in 1953, making it 72 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1995.

What condition is Township Road over Ponca Creek 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 2023.

How much traffic does Township Road over Ponca Creek carry?

About 20 vehicles per day (2003 count).

How long is Township Road over Ponca Creek?

The structure is 81 ft (24.7 m) long with a longest span of 79 ft (24.1 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns Township Road over Ponca Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.