US Bridges

County Highway over Kearney Canal

Fair

Buffalo County, Nebraska · 7E .5N of Elm Creek · Structure no. C001002105

Built
1975
50 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Prestressed Concrete
Length
35 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
40
2022 count
Owner
Local
Other Local Agency

About this bridge

County Highway over Kearney Canal is a prestressed concrete tee beam carrying County Highway over Kearney Canal in Buffalo County, Nebraska. It was built in 1975, so it is 50 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.

It carries about 40 vehicles a day, projected to reach 55 by 2042. The structure is 35 ft (10.7 m) long and 22 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 80.8 mi (130 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Highway
CrossesKearney Canal
Location7E .5N of Elm Creek
RouteCounty Highway 21
CountyBuffalo County
StateNebraska
Coordinates40.705, -99.2367
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionDecember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating58.4 US tons
Inventory rating32 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length35 ft (10.7 m)
Longest span33 ft (10.1 m)
Deck width22 ft (6.6 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic40 (2022)
Projected traffic55 by 2042
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed80.8 mi (130 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerOther Local Agency
Maintained byOther Local 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 Kearney Canal built?

It was built in 1975, making it 50 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Highway over Kearney Canal 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 December 2024.

How much traffic does County Highway over Kearney Canal carry?

About 40 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is County Highway over Kearney Canal?

The structure is 35 ft (10.7 m) long with a longest span of 33 ft (10.1 m) and a deck 22 ft wide.

Who owns County Highway over Kearney Canal?

It is owned by the Other Local Agency.